Schools closed in Nepal's Saptari district after Swine Flu, Hong Kong Flu cases

Schools in Nepal's Kanchanrup Municipality and Hanumannagar Kankalani Municipality of Saptari district have been closed for three days following an outbreak of Swine flu and Hong Kong flu in the areas.

Following an emergency meeting, the Kanchanrup Municipality on Saturday declared the area a 'disaster-hit' zone and decided to close the schools, Municipality mayor Basanta Mishra informed RSS. The Municipality has also urged all to remain alert and conscious with regard to the outbreak of these diseases.

Mayor Mishra said the decision to shut down schools has been taken in view of the possibility of the disease virus spreading among the students. He added that the schools will remain closed until the prevalence of the infection diminishes.

Health check-up camps have been set up at various places after scores of people started suffering from fever, cough and cold at the two municipalities as well as in Mahadeva rural municipality.

People suffering from cough and fever in the municipality area were found to be carrying the H1N1 (Swine flu) and H3N2 (Hong Kong flu) virus. Of the 24 samples sent to Kathmandu, one person was found suffering from Swine flu and 10 from Hong Kong flu, according to chief of district public health office, Saptari Niranjan Prasad Yadav.

Five people have died so far. However, it is not yet confirmed that the deaths were due to the virus.