After an outbreak of multiple diseases at Jhumka Jail, Ramdhuni Municipality-5, the jail administration organized a health camp for the inmates. Starting from mid-August 2025, a viral fever spread among prisoners, and by mid-August, confirmed cases of dengue fever and scrub typhus prompted the administration to take immediate action with the health camp.
The jail administration reported that over 300 inmates and detainees at Jhumka Jail have been affected by multiple illnesses. Dengue, often mistaken for the flu, can impact the upper and lower respiratory tracts, affecting the throat, lungs, and nose. Viral fever and influenza viruses can also spread through the air when an infected person sneezes, talks, or coughs, contributing to the widespread transmission within the facility. Initially suspecting a viral fever, the jail administration and on-site medical team soon confirmed simultaneous outbreaks of dengue, influenza, and scrub typhus. Jail Chief Subash Kumar Lamichhane stated that following the deaths of three inmates within the first week in the first week of September, health examinations revealed the presence of all three diseases. In response, the administration promptly organized a comprehensive health camp with a medical team on September 8 to ensure thorough testing and treatment for the affected inmates.
A 15-member team, including doctors, conducted health examinations of inmates, along with lab tests, X-rays, video X-rays, and sample collection. Chief District Officer of Sunsari, Dharmendra Kumar Mishra, stated that the medical team had been deployed to address the issues observed in the jail and that the situation is now under control. After inmates exhibited symptoms such as high fever, headaches, and vomiting, a health camp was also conducted inside the jail on September 3.
During the health camp, authorities collected samples from 63 inmates and sent them to BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in Dharan for testing. Thirteen inmates with more serious health issues were admitted to the institute’s Ghop facility in Dharan for treatment. Testing has since confirmed outbreaks of scrub typhus, dengue, and influenza among the inmates. Sagar Prasai, Chief of the Sunsari Health Office, added that Japanese encephalitis is suspected in some cases, though the test results are still pending.
Jhumka Jail has a capacity of 1,600 inmates. Currently, both Block A and Block B house a total of 1,798 prisoners. Doctors have indicated that the disease outbreak has been exacerbated due to the jail housing more inmates than its capacity.