Chicken pox kills 2, afflicts 200

The dead have are Md Nurul Islam, a Union Parishad member from Charanipara village and Dr Abdul Mannan, 55, a quack in Hasanpur village, who died on March 10 and March 31 respectively.

Many people have left the villages fearing an epidemic of the disease, local people said.

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The disease first broke out at Charanipara village and then spread to the neighbouring two villages rapidly as the local health workers did not take prompt steps to contain the disease, they alleged while talking to this correspondent.

Some of the patients are being treated at the health complex and at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital (MMCH).

Another five patients have been released from MMCH after treatment at the Surjo Kanta (SK) Hospital, a unit of MMCH for treatment of infectious diseases.

Talking to this correspondent on Monday, Dr Md Abdul Kader at SK Hospital confirmed that the disease is chicken pox, not small pox, as reported in some newspapers.

Asked about the deaths, he said the disease may turn fatal if not treated properly and promptly.

Chicken pox may lead to pnumonia and viral encephalities causing respiratory problems and death, he said.

Mymensingh Civil Surgeon Dr Ruhul Amin Khan also confirmed that the disease is chicken pox, not small pox.

There is no reason to be panicked about this disease because the situation is under control in the affected villages.

Doctors and health workers are in the affected area, he said.