Rapid surge in dengue, scrub typhus cases in Makawanpur

By Anil Parajuli,Hetauda, Aug. 18: In the first month of the current fiscal year, 91 cases of dengue and 32 cases of scrub typhus have been recorded in Makawanpur district.

According to the District Public Health Office, Makawanpur, there is a rapid surge in the cases of dengue and scrub typhus in the district. Laxman Ghimire, the Information Officer at the District Public Health Office said that 17 women and 15 men have been infected by scrub typhus in the month of Shrawan.

Scrub typhus, also known as bush typhus caused by Orientia Tsutsugamushi, is a mite-borne disease. The disease spreads to humans through the bite of infected chiggers (larval mites) found in mice.

Similarly, the number of dengue cases in Makawanpur in July/August reached 91, with 39 men and 52 women affected. Most of the dengue cases in the district have been found in Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City, where 60 individuals - 22 men and 68 women are infected with dengue.

In addition, 14 cases have been confirmed in Manahari Rural Municipality, five in Bakaiya Rural Municipality, four in Makawanpurgadhi and three in Bhimphedi Rural Municipality. There has been one confirmed case in Bagmati Rural Municipality and one in Kailash Rural Municipality.

Two cases from other districts and one case with an unidentified address have also been confirmed. In Indra Sarovar, Raksirang Rural Municipality and Thaha Municipality in the northern region of the district, no cases of dengue were reported during the last month.

In the last fiscal year, the district recorded 455 confirmed cases of dengue among men and 436 confirmed cases among women.

Ghimire said that maintaining proper hygiene is key to preventing dengue and scrub typhus. Since the mosquito that transmits dengue lays its eggs in clean water, he urged people to remove stagnant water, cover water storage containers, clear clogged drains and gutters, use mosquito repellents, wear protective clothing, and spray insecticides.