Four people have died of viral fever in Righa and Sukadhik villages of Mugu district over the past week, according to the District Health Office (DHO). 

DHO officials said Biurasar Pandey, 65, Bishnu Jaishi, 44,  Rishisanna Upadhyay , 75, of Righa village and Purba Karki, 55, of Sukadhik village died of viral fever. 

Around 150 families live in Righa village. “A majority of people don’t have money to buy medicines,” said Kusumkali Hamal of Righa, adding the recent deaths 

have left locals worried. “The elderly have been affected the most.”

In mid-October, four persons of Seri Satbad, Khale Kawa and Paikhugaun  villages had died of viral fever in the district. The disease now has spread through Gamtha, Righa, Ratapani, Kotdanda and Shreekot among other villages. 

Officiating District Health Officer Dhan Prasad Sharma said viral fever has affected many villages of Khatyad Rural Municipality.

“We have sent a medical team with medicine to the affected areas,” said Sharma. He added that viral fever spread to the villages due to increasing cold, dust and dry season.