BAGLUNG, Aug 25: Dengue infections are spreading in Baglung, with the number of confirmed cases reaching 646 over the past two months.
According to the Baglung Health Office, dengue has been reported in all local levels of the district. Data for Asar and Shrawan shows that 459 cases were recorded in Baglung Municipality alone.
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Similarly, 43 cases were reported in Galkot Municipality, 45 in Kathekhola Rural Municipality, 27 in Jaimini Municipality, 17 in Dhorpatan Municipality, three each in Tarakhola and Badigad rural municipalities, seven in Nisikhola Rural Municipality, and two each in Taman Khola and Bareng rural municipalities. Another 38 people who came to Baglung from other districts for treatment also tested positive for dengue.
Dhaulagiri Hospital Baglung has been receiving 20 to 30 dengue patients daily, said medical recorder Navaraj Paudel. According to him, 182 dengue cases were recorded in Baglung Bazaar alone during Shrawan.
Health workers attribute the rise in infections to the growing population of dengue carrying mosquitoes amid continued rainfall.
According to the Provincial Public Health Office, Baglung, search and destroy campaigns have been launched at the ward level following the rise in dengue cases. The campaign to identify and eliminate mosquito breeding grounds is conducted every Friday. Authorities have increased surveillance of places where mosquito larvae and breeding sites may be found, including garages, discarded tyres and flower pots.
The rise in dengue cases has also increased the number of patients seeking treatment at Dhaulagiri Provincial Hospital, Burtibang Hospital and Galkot Hospital, said Provincial Public Health Inspector Dev Prakash Ghimire.
He said statistics have been collected only from patients who underwent testing at government health facilities. Since dengue tests are also being conducted at private health institutions and medical clinics, the actual number of infections could be significantly higher.
The health authorities have intensified efforts to identify potential mosquito breeding sites, destroy larvae and prevent water from accumulating. They are also conducting community awareness campaigns focused on sanitation and eliminating mosquito breeding grounds, according to the Baglung Health Office.
