Danger Of Dengue

Dengue, a viral communicable disease transmitted by mosquito, is spreading across Nepal in an increasingly dangerous way in recent years. Though this disease was confined in the Terai and inner Terai plains in the past, now it is spreading in the hilly and mountain districts, defying the belief that it is prevalent in the plains with hot climate.  Spread of dengue in previously unsuspected regions makes us look into the global pattern of temperature rise and prevalence of insects such as mosquito in higher altitude. Mostly spreading in the monsoon season, this vector borne disease also occurs in pre-monsoon and post-monsoon time as well. Coinciding with the spread of COVID-19 infections lately, several cases of dengue have also been detected across the nation. This calls for prompt measures on prevention which mainly involves avoiding mosquito bites, stopping the formation of stagnant water where mosquitos lays eggs and thrive and use of chemicals to destroy mosquito larvae.

According to the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD) under the Ministry of Health and Population, more than 900 cases of dengue have been reported within seven months of this year. This is a serious public health matter and the concerned health authorities need to respond to it in appropriate manner. This year, many cases of dengue were detected in Bagmati and Lumbini provinces. Around 59 districts including those in the Kathmandu Valley, have reported dengue cases.  Surprisingly, cold mountain districts like Jumla and Kalikot have reported the occurrence of dengue. The vector-borne diseases are occurring in higher regions because the insects transmitting the diseases are prevailing in new places. One of the major symptoms of dengue is fever and people may not suspect dengue when they get fever and skip check-up and timely treatment. It is important to maintain sanitation and not to let water accumulate in ground and containers where the mosquitos find a suitable fertile ground. 

Everyone should be cautious and reduce the risk of dengue outbreak by covering water filled utensils and managing discarded plastic cups and bottles which could also shelter dengue-carrying mosquitoes. Dengue cases rise in Nepal with the onset of the monsoon season every year and more than 500 cases of dengue were detected in 58 districts last year. Moreover, this year it may spread as an epidemic, as cases are likely to increase for three more coming months during the post monsoon time. Last time there was a major dengue epidemic in Nepal in 2019 with a total of 17,992 reported cases from 68 districts of all the seven provinces. According to EDCD, there were six dengue deaths reported from five districts, with two deaths in Chitwan, and one death each in Sunsari, Sindhupalchowk, Kathmandu and Doti.

Transmitted by female Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, dengue should be identified in time by its symptoms include acute fever, frontal headache, vomiting, joint pain and macular skin rash. However, some patients may develop life-threatening conditions such as acute dengue hemorrhagic fever, dengue shock syndrome, and multi-organ failure. Doctors suggest using insect repellent, wearing full-sleeve clothes, using mosquito net, emptying possible mosquito breeding items that hold water, such as tires, buckets, planters, pools, toys, flowerpots or trash containers. Mosquitoes that cause dengue breed in clean water and infect people in daylight. Due to an acute drinking water crisis, people in the capital valley store water in jars and pots, which create favourable environment for breeding these mosquitoes.