The disease has spread to four upazilas in Brahmanbaria and 13 villages in one upazila in Sherpur.

Our Brahmanbaria correspondent reported that the disease killed five people including two children and attacked 200 in several villages in Nasirnagor, Sarail, Ashugonj and Brahmanbaria Sadar upazilas.

The five died in Chaportola union where at least 50 are afflicted with diarrhoea.

Chapartala union Chapartola Union Parishad Chairman Musharof Hassain told the monthly meeting of Nasirnagar Upazila Council on Thursday that the five died due to lack of medicine. Diarrhoea is spreading in the area and will turn alarming if adequate steps are not taken immediately, he said.

When contacted the Medical Officer at Nasirnagor Upazila Health Complex declined to confirm the deaths. He said a medical team has been sent to the area.

Civil Surgeon Muhammad Ishak said he will visit the spot and take proper step for supply of adequate medicine and saline.

The number of diarrohea patient are increasing in hospitals and local clinics as the disease is spreading.

According to hospital sources, 144 diarrhoea patients were admitted to Brahmanbaria Sadar Hospital from October 14 to October 31.

Many patients in the hospital alleged that they were not given intravenous (IV) saline from the hospital and were forced to purchase those from outside at high price.

Hospital sources said supply of oral saline was adequate but IV saline was in short supply.

A nurse in the diarrhoea ward said she received only eight bags of IV saline for her shift. These were too inadequate, she said.

During a visit to the diarrhoea ward on Saturday, this correspondent saw ten patients on five beds and another 27 on the floor and the corridor.

The floor was dirty with vomit and stool of patients.

It was gathered that at least 100 diarrhoea patients left the hospital from October 14 to 31 without treatment due to lock of proper medical facilities.

It is reported that in some villages, people are turning to 'Uza' and 'Kabiraz' (exorcist) to protect them from diarrhoea.

A correspondent reported from Sherpur that diarrhoea claimed seven lives in three upazilas.

Four of them died at Akuchupara village in Dhanshial union under Jhenigathi upazila on Thursday.

They are Ambia, 36, wife of Abul Hossain, Nahar, 9, Anjuara, 7 and Tazemddin, 55. At least 50 people have been attacked with the disease, sources there said.

Three others died in Nokla. They are Durga Rani Das, 22, Sohagi, 3 and Riktara Begum, 25.

Nine patients were admitted to Sherpur Sadar Hospital. Every day eight to nine patients are coming to Nakla upazila health complex for treatment, sources there said.