With the onset of monsoon, dengue fever is emerging as a major public health problem in the country. Data from the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division show that Eastern Nepal has witnessed the highest number of dengue cases as of July 26. Province-wise, Koshi has reported the highest number of cases—2,971—followed by Bagmati (767), Gandaki (347), Sudurpaschim (318), Lumbini (168), Madhes (25) and Karnali (23 cases) as of July 26, per the EDCD, which put the total number of cases reported from 70 districts at 4,619.
District-wise, Sunsari has the highest number of reported cases (2,737), followed by Dhading (483), Kaski (208), Darchula (190) Kathmandu (88), Sankhuwasabha (75), Myagdi (54), Kanchanpur (52), Rupandehi (45) and Jhapa (42). The township of Dharan in Sunsari had 2,353 people infected during the reporting period and eight of them have died, according to Umesh Mehata, chief at Dharan Sub-metropolitan City’s Health Division. These cases were from ward numbers 11, 15, 17 and 18 of the town.
“Vessels containing water, drains, unmanaged pigsties, flower pots and plates containing water have become breeding grounds for the dengue-causing mosquitoes,” Mehata said.
Dr Sher Bahadur Pun, chief at Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital’s Clinical Research Unit, expressed concern that dengue infections could take epidemic proportions in Sunsari if control measures are not taken immediately.
Death and severity rates increase when a new serotype of the virus spreads in areas that have witnessed large-scale outbreaks from a different serotype, per experts.
A new serotype may be behind the rise in the number of dengue cases in Dharan, experts point out. We need to find out which serotype is spreading in the area, Dr Pun added.
Three districts in the Kathmandu Valley have reported a total of 88 dengue cases during the reporting period, per the EDCD.
“In the valley, the number of patients visiting hospitals is quite few. Some pocket areas in the valley might witness cases, but the possibility of mass spread of the disease is pretty low. As of now, things are under control,” said Pun.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease transmitted by female Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. Mild to high fever, severe muscle pain, rashes, severe headache and pain in the eyes are some of its symptoms.
Last year, more than 54,000 people got infected with dengue in Nepal; 88 of them died.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Population has launched a campaign appealing to all public offices to conduct a cleanliness campaign on their office premises for at least 10 minutes every Friday at 10:30 am in a bid to curb infections.
