623 Tuberculosis Cases Identified in Chitwan District This Fiscal Year, Including 27 Children

Chitwan. A total of 623 people have been found suffering from tuberculosis (TB) in the district during the current fiscal year. Among the TB patients identified during regular testing in the district, 27 are children under the age of 14, four of whom are under the age of four.

According to Jayaram Duwadi, TB and Leprosy Officer at the Public Health Office, this infection was detected among the 5,382 people tested since Shrawan. Of these, 287 cases were found to be non-communicable TB and 336 cases were found to be communicable TB. Among the infected, seven cases were found to have drug-resistant TB.

The infected individuals are regularly taking medication from 107 distribution centers in the district. To confirm tuberculosis, the district has 28 institutions capable of conducting 'Microscopy' tests and four institutions capable of conducting 'GeneXpert' tests. Out of 3,081 people tested via microscopy, 143 were found infected. Similarly, out of 2,301 people tested using GeneXpert, 307 were found to be TB infected, he stated. Among the infected found in the district, 235 were female and 388 were male.

Last fiscal year, 1,089 cases of TB infection were found. Twenty-two infected individuals died due to tuberculosis last year. A total of 13,107 people were tested last year. This disease is caused by infection with the bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In the initial stage of the disease, fatigue is felt even with little exertion, and weakness starts to be felt.

People often do not take such symptoms seriously, which gradually allows the TB bacteria to infect and cause serious problems, he explained. Coughing and fever are the initial symptoms of tuberculosis. Generally, such problems resolve within five days. However, if the cough persists continuously, the fever does not subside, and the cough lasts for two weeks, one should immediately consult a doctor.

If one contracts this disease, they should avoid consuming any products mixed with tobacco, and if they have started, they should quit immediately. Excessive consumption of alcohol, drugs, or medication should be avoided, he informed. He advises taking the free medication available for the full duration (six to eight months) regularly after consulting health workers, and getting tested periodically as advised by health workers after starting medication.