Dengue cases recorded in 57 districts

KATHMANDU: Dengue fever has spread to 57 districts in Nepal. The transmission of dengue fever has also started to increase with the onset of rainfall due to changing weather patterns.

Dr Gokarna Prasad Dahal, chief of the NTD & Vector-borne Disease Section at the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division of the Ministry of Health and Population, said the risk of dengue has increased as people tend to store water during the rainy season which provides breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Stating that 904 people have been infected across 57 districts so far, he urged people to remain cautious as the risk of dengue rises with the onset of rainfall.

“Dengue transmission increases after the rainfall starts. Therefore, we need to launch campaigns to prevent water stagnation and kill mosquito larvae to control and prevent the spread,” he added.

Last year, 51,143 people from all 77 districts were infected with dengue. Although no district has reported a substantial number of cases yet, Dahal said 33 local units have been instructed to identify risk areas and launch campaigns to kill mosquito larvae.

The Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquito species breed in stagnant water sources and transmit the dengue virus through their bites. Their larvae hatch in stagnant water and mature into adults capable of transmitting the disease.

Symptoms of dengue include high fever, headache, eye pain, body aches, joint pains and muscle pain. The ministry has advised people to use mosquito nets while sleeping, wear long-sleeved clothes while working outdoors and install window screens to prevent mosquito bites.