KATHMANDU, Sept. 1: Ruling and the opposition party lawmakers have accused the government of failing to control Dengue outbreak in various parts of the country.

Speaking at a meeting of the Parliamentary Education and Health Committee on Sunday, the ruling Nepal Communist Party lawmakers Jeevan Ram Shrestha and Anjana Bishankhe said that the government is failing to enforce measures to control Dengue outbreak.

Expressing serious concern over the Dengue outbreak in various parts of the country including Kathmandu, lawmaker Shrestha accused the government of failing to control the disease. 

Another lawmaker of the NCP Bishankhe urged the government to launch an awareness campaign to control Dengue outbreak in Kathmandu and other parts of the country.

Nepali Congress lawmaker Man Bahadur Biswakarma accused the government of not paying attention to control Dengue outbreak.

On the occasion, State Minister for Health and Population, Surendra Kumar Yadav said that the government is making sincere efforts to control Dengue outbreak. "However, we lack enough budgets for the same," he said.

As the fear of dengue spreads in Kathmandu, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has said that it is planning to launch sanitation and cleanliness campaign in the capital.

Shukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital (STIDH) at Teku has witnessed at least 42 dengue patients since April. Two health workers at STIDH were also infected with dengue. There are currently 13 dengue patients admitted in the hospital.

A report prepared by the Ministry of Health states that a total of 3,025 people in Sunsari were infected by dengue in the FY 2075\76. Many received treatment in the district itself. Makwanpur recorded 83 dengue cases and Morang 81 cases in FY 2075/76.

Sher Bahadur Pun, coordinator of the clinical research unit at STIDH, says that dengue is hard to detect because its symptoms are commonplace. So he suspects the number of infected could be higher.

High fever, pain behind eyes, rashes, unconsciousness, joint ache, body ache and vomiting serve as dengue's common symptoms. People usually tend to ignore fever, body ache, and minor unconsciousness. Due to this, a lot of dengue patients do not care about going to a clinic or hospital until it is severe. Even when they visit clinics, they are provided with the medicine, like Flexon to reduce body ache.

Dengue fever is transmitted by Aedes mosquito infected with dengue virus. This mosquito species has white markings on the legs. While normal mosquitoes breed in dirty water and normally bite in the evening or at night, dengue carriers breed in clean water and bite during daytime.

Doctors and medical experts categorize dengue as menacing disease that impacts one's whole lifetime. If not cured on time, dengue hemorrhagic fever can cause severe bleeding, a sudden drop in blood pressure, shocks and sometimes can even lead to death.

In order to prevent the spread of dengue mosquitoes, doctors and health experts advise people to keep their surrounding area clean. Potholes and empty spots should be kept free from standing water.

 
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