Swine flu claims 24 lives in western Nepal

At least three more people have died due to the deadly swine flu disease that has claimed 24 lives so far in mid-Western Nepal's Jajarkot district over the past three weeks.
Three more persons infected with H1N1 virus died yesterday, according to the District Public Health Office.
Paink, Sakla, Nayabada, Talegaun, Rami Danda, Rokayagaun, Laha, Kortang and Majkot Villages have been the worst affected areas by the disease and some 2,000 people have been admitted to the local health posts for treatment.
The H1N1 strain of the influenza found in eight patients is the same that caused a global pandemic in 2009, which according to the World Health Organisation killed more than 18,000 people worldwide.

People with chronic diseases, elderly and children are most vulnerable to the disease, according to the experts.
A Nepal Army team from Kathmandu has also reached Jajarkot to assess the situation and assist the health workers in the treatment of the patients.
Nepal Army spokesman Jagadish Chandra Pokhrel said they would decide about deploying more medics to the outbreak site once the Nepal Army headquarters receive report from their assessment team.
The Army has also delivered medicines to the affected villages including Archani and Talegaun.