In view of the growing cases of seasonal influenza in Kaseni area of Mathagadhi Rural Municipality-3 in Palpa, an all-party meeting on Sunday decided to close the local schools for three days.

 Dipak Thapa, the recently elected ward chairman of Mathagadhi-3, said that the decision to close the schools was taken as children were more susceptible to contracting flu. 

Meanwhile, health workers have urged the villagers to take precautions against flu.

They have also asked the locals to visit the nearest health facility if they have any flu symptoms like cough, fever and headache. 

The local health posts are also providing services from 7 am till 6 pm considering the  increasing number of flu patients. 

Sarai Bazaar Management Committee of Kaseni have also launched awareness campaign form Sunday. 

Besides seasonal influenza, there is also a fear of swine flu in Kaseni after a local man, who was tested positive for H1N1 virus, died in the Capital on Saturday.

Man Bahadur Chidi, 74, died while undergoing treatment at Vayodha Hospital in Kathmandu.

He was referred to Kathmandu from Lumbini Medical College of Prabhas for further treatment. 

The National Public Health Laboratory in Teku had confirmed that Chidi was suffering from swine flu.

Chandra Rana, another local, had also died of similar symptom a few days ago, according to villagers.