Check Dengue Spread

Dengue is a viral infection caused by dengue virus, transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. The World Health Organisation (WHO) says that around half of the world's population is at risk of dengue with an estimated 100-400 million infections reported every year. Its major symptoms include high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting and swollen glands. However, many dengue infections are either asymptomatic or cause merely mild illness. But the dengue virus sometimes can cause more severe infection, and even lead to death. Like many other countries worldwide, Nepal has also remained affected by this disease over the years. The nation has seen a substantial rise in the number of dengue infections during this monsoon, too. It is quite annoying that this mosquito-borne disease has already spread to 70 out of the total 77 districts across the country, infecting more than 7,000 people. Sunsari and Dhading districts have become the worst-hit during this summer. 

The massive increase in the number of dengue infections has caused panic to people living in those districts. Several people have died from dengue infection in Sunsari district alone. Among cities in this district, Dharan has turned out to be an epicentre of dengue outbreak this time as well. Some adjoining areas of Dharan have also recorded a swift rise in the number of dengue infections despite the local governments’ initiative to raise awareness among the people about the disease and kill the larvae of mosquitoes before they metamorphose into an adult insect and spread the disease. The BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS) and many other health facilities in Dharan and neighbouring cities of Sunsari are reported to be overburdened with the patients infected with dengue. Located in Dharan, the BPKIHS has made necessary arrangements for dealing with the cases of dengue. The institute has now been running a separate 30-bed hospital for the treatment of dengue patients after its central emergency ward and dengue clinic failed to tackle the ever-increasing flow of cases. 

The Kathmandu Valley has also witnessed a gradual rise in the number of dengue infections with hospitalisation rates going up. According to a news report published in this daily on Thursday, Epidemiology and Disease Control Division under the Department of Health Services has listed Kathmandu as one of the top 10 districts having dengue fever cases. In the last monsoon season, the valley recorded more than 56,000 cases of dengue with about 88 casualties. With the continuation of the rainy season, the problem of dengue may exacerbate further in the days to come if effective preventive and control measures are not taken immediately. Health experts say that a re-infection of dengue could prove to be more fatal for patients. Some of its main symptoms are severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, rapid breathing, gum and nose bleeding, fatigue, restlessness, blood in vomit or stool, being very thirsty, pale and cold skin, and weakness. Such patients often require intensive care. So, timely diagnosis and treatment is necessary. 

Virologists have called upon the authorities to come up with public awareness campaigns and make other interventions to prevent the transmission of this disease. Learning from the past, the authorities must step up urgent measures to prevent the transmission of this viral disease. People can prevent themselves from being infected with the dengue virus through avoiding mosquito bites, especially during day times. Meanwhile, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has launched an anti-dengue drive. It has started destroying the larvae of mosquitoes in all the 32 wards simultaneously. Other local governments must also follow suit.