Dengue infections have now reached 74 of Nepal’s 77 districts, according to health authorities who on Thursday reported 2,844 cases since the outbreak began.
The figure is up sharply from 2,025 through July 31 when there were still outbreaks in just 72 districts. The Himalayan Times reported.
Though two people have been confirmed dead due to complications from dengue, health officials warn infections will likely increase both during and after the monsoon season especially if locals don’t make a concerted effort to eradicate mosquito breeding grounds.
Baglung has become one of those hotspots with 289 cases reported from July 17 to Aug 15 that exceed the number of cases 250 reported throughout the entire previous fiscal year, Local health officials reported.
Dengue fever is transmitted through the bite of an infected female Aedes mosquito. These mosquitoes breed in stagnant water usually found close to people’s home and in urban areas. Preventing dengue mainly involves controlling population size of the mosquitoes and elimination of their breeding grounds, according to the World Health Organisation.
Surveillance and public awareness campaigns have been ramped up by Nepal’s health authorities amid the ongoing monsoons.
