Dairrhoea outbreak in three VDCs of western Dailekh has claimed lives of two children and downed many others in the last couple of days.

Lakandra, Tolijaisi and Bishala VDCs are grappling with the disease as health officials are scrambling to treat the patients, most of whom are children. A seven-month-old and an eight-month-old from Tolijaisi VDC died on Saturday night at a local clinic, the District Public Health Office (DPHO) said.

Besides diarrhoea, some children are also suffering from pneumonia and fever.

Dr Kikash Sah, who works at a local health centre, said 12 children have been referred to Surkhet for treatment while others are receiving treatment in local health facilities. “Most of the patients are below two years of age. It is still unclear what caused the outbreak,” Dr Sah said.

DPHO Chief Dr Nirmal Rasaili health workers are already working in the affected villages while another team from Surkhet Regional Health Director is expected to reach by Tuesday.