Viral influenza has claimed the lives of nine people and affected more than 30 others in mid- western Nepal in the last two weeks, local public health office said Thursday.

The disease broke out at Banfikot and Rukumkot areas of Rukum district, some 500 km west of Kathmandu, District Public Health Office said in a statement.

"It is difficult to take the patients to the district headquarters for treatment, as heavy downpours have damaged rural roads," the statement noted.

The locals have to depend on herbs and shamans for primary treatment due to lack of medicines in the local health posts, according to the statement.

A team of health workers with medicines has been sent to the affected areas from the district headquarters, the statement added.

Source: Xinhua