Dengue cases at epidemic level in Dhading

BY OUR CORRESPONDENT 

Dhading, Sept 2 : Dhading has seen an alarming rise in the number of dengue patients. Dengue infection was found in 114 patients who visited District Hospital Dhading for health check-ups. 

Bikram BK, information officer of the hospital, said that dengue infection was found in most of the patients who came to the hospital with symptoms of headache and fever.

According to BK, Dhading has been under the grip of the disease in recent weeks, with 62 people diagnosed in July and 52 infected as of August 14 this year.  

Dengue infection was confirmed after the blood test of the patient who came to the hospital with the symptoms. According to BK, the number of infected people this year is much higher than those in previous years.

Dr. Madhukar Dahal, acting medical superintendent of the hospital, said that although the disease has spread to the epidemic level, the hospital has sufficient kits to test it. He added that up to 11 people were found to be infected in a single day. 

“We are providing treatment to all the patients coming to the hospital,” said Dr. Dahal and added that the hospital is well-equipped to provide ICU treatment for critical patients. 

Dengue is transmitted through the bite of a female Aedes aegypti mosquito. As female mosquitoes need blood to lay eggs, they bite humans during the daytime, said Dahal.  This mosquito is active for two hours after sunrise and for two hours before sunset, he informed.  

Informing about the preventive measures, Dr. Dahal suggested getting rid of places where mosquitos can breed, including old tires, cans, or flowerpots that retain water.

Dr. Dahal recommended following preventive measures, such as wearing a long-sleeved shirt, long pair of pants and socks when outdoors, applying mosquito repellent creams, securing doors and windows with nets, staying away from stagnant water, and using mosquito nets.

Dr. Dahal said that small children, elderly people, and people with compromised immune systems are especially vulnerable to the disease.  

He urged people to visit the nearest health institution for check-ups and treatment if they are bitten by a suspicious mosquito, or have a high fever, pain behind the eyes, and muscle pain, among other symptoms. 

There is also a possibility of recurrence of dengue disease, informed Dr. Dahal.