Kathmandu, September 9
Magsaysay Award winner and pioneering eye surgeon Dr Sanduk Ruit and two of his daughters have been infected by dengue, sources say. The trio is receiving treatment at Norvic Hospital, Thapathali, it is learnt.
Neither the hospital nor Ruit’s family members have informed the public about the Padmashree award winner’s condition. The news comes just a few days after agriculture minister Chakrapani Khanal also contracted the disease, which has become an epidemic in Nepal.
According to the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, 3,899 cases of the disease have been reported nationwide. The division said that the most number of cases have been reported in Province 3 (2010) while the least have been reported in Karnali (3). A total of 39 cases have been reported in Province 2, 831 in Province 1, 896 in Gandaki, 97 in Province 5, 23 in Sudur Paschim.
At least six people have been reported dead due to the disease, which is spread by mosquitos. While two people have died in Kathmandu, a death each has been reported in Sindhupalchowk, Sunsari, Chitwan, and Doti. According to the division, Chitwan district has reported the most number of cases (1,036) so far.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has already issued circulars to all district offices to clean public areas where mosquitos might breed. The government has also alerted the security forces to do their bit to control their epidemic.
