KATHMANDU, Aug 26: The Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD) has reported that the dengue infection that has spread in various parts of the country may take a violent form. Dr Gokarna Dahal, the chief of the Vector Borne Disease Section at EDCD, said the number of infected people has now exceeded 5,000 and two more months are favorable for the infection. Therefore, Dahal urged the people to remain vigilant.

Dr Dahal said, "While reviewing the number of infected people in various districts, it appears that the dengue infection could spread at a higher rate. So, we need to be more cautious.”

This year, three people have already died of the dengue infection. Among the deceased, one is from Jhapa, one from Tanahun, while the third one is a child who died at Kanti Children's Hospital in Kathmandu. According to data, 5,119 people have been infected with dengue across the country as of Sunday.

Dengue cases have been reported in 75 of the 77 districts across the country. According to data from EDCD, the number of infected individuals has increased in certain districts. In Tanahun, 1,045 people have been infected with dengue, followed by 421 in Kathmandu, 408 in Kaski, 1,068 in Chitwan, 272 in Parbat, 177 in Gorkha, 155 in Jhapa, and 104 in Makwanpur.

It appears that the number of infected people will reach over 500 in a few days in four districts. In terms of public health, an outbreak is considered an epidemic if more than 500 people are infected in a district.

Dengue has become an epidemic in Kaski and Tanahun districts. Hospitals have indicated that there is an increasing possibility of this infection spreading to the Kathmandu Valley as well. According to Patan Hospital, around 10 to 12 dengue-infected patients arrive at the hospital daily for treatment, and most of them are from within the valley.

Director of Patan Hospital, Dr Rabi Shakya said, “Patients with high fever have been arriving for a week, and currently, three dengue patients are admitted to Patan Hospital.”

The Civil Service Hospital has also said that the number of dengue patients has started to rise. Three infected persons have been admitted to Civil Service Hospital. Medical Director Dr Bidesh Bista said that some of them were referred to Sukraraj Tropical & Infectious Disease Hospital in Teku due to the lack of enough beds at the hospital.

According to Bista, most of the infected are in the young-age group. Similarly, two dengue patients have been admitted to the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Maharajgunj. According to the hospital, some of the admitted patients went home after recovery.

Dr Sher Bahadur Pun, coordinator of the clinical research unit  at Sukraraj Tropical & Infectious Disease Hospital, said the hospital has reported that the number of people arriving at the outpatient department (OPD) for a health check-up has been rising. Dr Pun said that patients with severe symptoms of dengue have been arriving at the OPD of the hospital.  

He said, "Now patients with high fever and internal bleeding have also appeared. The arrival of patients with severe symptoms indicates that the number of dengue infections is increasing."

Dr Dahal said that if the rapidly increasing dengue infection is not controlled in time, it could turn into an epidemic. The EDCD has already instructed the concerned bodies to coordinate efforts for dengue control.

Dr Dahal mentions that despite local authorities conducting campaigns to destroy mosquito breeding grounds that spread dengue, additional support is needed to control the infection. He said that effective control will require cooperation from all parties. He said, “It will not be possible to control the situation with just the government's efforts alone, if citizens are negligent”

He said that removing stagnant water every week is an effective method to control as the life cycle of mosquitoes is completed within a week and the number of mosquitoes increases. He suggested that as the next two months are particularly favorable for dengue transmission, additional caution is necessary to prevent it from becoming an epidemic.

 
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