Viral fever takes toll in camps

Damak, July 7: Viral fever seen in the camps of Morang and Jhapa districts for the last two weeks is gradually taking an epidemic shape. The fever has spread in all camps.

With the increase in the patients, the health centers in the camp have become crowded since last four days.

Phuwa Lama, health supervisor of the health centre in Sanischare camp said the number of patients suffering from viral fever has been increasing at an alarming rate in the last few days and the health workers have had to treat new patients on the floor as all the beds have already been occupied. He said that more than 200 patients come everyday. After providing primary treatment, these patients are being sent to AMDA Hospital in Damak.

Symptoms like high fever, reddening of eyes, running nose and common cold are widespread. Increasing patient made treatment difficult. There are reports that 3-4 people die everyday due to viral fever. The dead are mostly children and elderly people.

The fever spread because of the movement of people from one camp to another. Lack if skilled health workers and shortage of doctors and medicines are the major causes for the spread of the disease. As health centers in the camps are filled with patients, many of them are compelled to pay for their treatment in private clinics nearby.

The viral fever was seen in the previous years as well, but this year it has taken an epidemic form. Although the exact number of people who have died of viral fever is not confirmed, the people are in panic as the number of deaths is increasing rapidly. Bhutan News Service