The villagers also claim that several people are suspected to have been infected with the virus.

Koushala Devi, 38, wife of Thakur Das, 55, died on May 20.

According to Domar Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Fazle Rashid, Koushala Devi died from Hepatitis-B virus. This was confirmed after her blood test at a clinic in Domar, he told this correspondent on Monday.

Thakur Das also died on May 28 from a disease which showed symptoms of jaundice, according to villagers. They now suspect that he could have been infected with Hepatitis-B virus. But this was not confirmed through blood test.

A five-member medical team led by Domar upazila health official Dr. Zahid visited the village on Monday.

As he went there, villagers crowded around him, claiming that many people were attacked with 'jaundice', a similar type of virus, he told this correspondent.

He however found four persons suffering from a disease showing symptoms of jaundice, but their blood test is yet to be done, he said.

Dr Zahid said there is no blood test facility at Domar Upazila Health Complex to identify Hepatitis-B virus. The Nilphamari Civil Surgeon has been informed of the matter, he said.

The affected people are taking treatment at their houses with assistance from health workers, he added.

When contacted, the Civil Surgeon said he has asked Domar health complex officials to arrange admission of the afflicted people and their blood test for Hepatitis-B virus. He however said it is unlikely that so many people are infected with the virus in a village.

This will be confirmed after blood test, he said.