KATHAMNDU, Sept 27: Hospitals have reported that dengue infections in the Kathmandu Valley, which have been increasing for the past two weeks, have seen a further rise in recent days. In just 20 hours, 60 dengue-infected patients arrived at the emergency department of Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital.
According to Dr Sher Bahadur Pun, head of the hospital's research department, patients with severe symptoms of dengue are currently receiving treatment. He stated that these patients have come for treatment due to unbearable issues such as high fever, joint pain, eye pain, and muscle aches. "Previously, patients with mild symptoms would come in; now, many patients with severe symptoms are arriving," he said.
According to the Medicine Department of Bir Hospital, there are currently 30 dengue-infected patients admitted and receiving treatment in the medical ward. On average, about 60 dengue-infected patients are visiting the outpatient department of the hospital daily for treatment.
COVID-19 cases skyrocket in the Kathmandu Valley
The Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in the capital’s Maharajgunj has reported a recent daily increase in dengue cases. On Thursday alone, 10 dengue-infected patients were admitted to the observation ward for treatment. The hospital spokesperson, Pratap Shahi, stated that an average of 5 to 6 patients are being admitted and discharged daily. "The number of infected patients has increased somewhat in recent days," he said.
According to data from the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, Kathmandu ranks third among the 10 districts with a significant number of dengue infections. Kaski is in the first position with 1,903 cases, followed by Tanahun in second place with 1,645 cases, and Kathmandu in third.
In Kathmandu, there are a total of 1,540 infected individuals. While other districts have already reported cases, the recent increase in infections in Kathmandu has led to a higher number of cases, according to Dr Gokarna Dahal, head of the Vector-Borne Disease Division at the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division.
He stated, "While the rate of new infections appears to be decreasing in other districts, it is higher in Kathmandu." In other heavily affected districts, there are 1,110 cases in Parbat, 733 in Chitwan, and 451 in Gorkha.
According to Dr Pun, coordinator of the research department at Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, some areas have seen a decrease in dengue cases since the onset of the monsoon, while other districts have experienced an increasing trend since mid-August/mid-September. The Bagmati Province has been particularly affected. Based on past experience, he noted that the weather during mid-August/mid-September is conducive for the dengue-carrying mosquitoes. "This trend could continue until Dashain and Tihar," he said.
According to Dr Dahal, head of the Vector-Borne Disease Division, although the infection has increased in Kathmandu, it has not taken an epidemic form in any specific area. However, he noted that it seems likely to continue until Tihar. If there are periods of rain followed by dry spells, the infection is expected to rise for another three weeks. "The density of dengue-carrying mosquitoes increases in water; if the water stagnates, the density will stabilize," he said.
He suggested that local authorities should be more active in controlling the mosquito population, as it is a seasonally favorable time for dengue until Kartik (mid-October to mid-November). "The Kathmandu Metropolitan City has already discussed this issue; local bodies in areas with rising infections must work actively for another three weeks to identify and eliminate mosquito breeding sites," he said.
