Pokhara, October 28

A patient in Pokhara has reportedly tested positive for dengue.

The youth, known to frequently visit neighbouring India, was diagnosed with the disease and has been receiving treatment in Western Regional Hospital.

“He is said to be stable and in the process of recovery,” said Yam Baral, vector controller at District Public Health Office, Kaski. He said they have launched programmes to raise awareness of the disease.

“Once bitten by Aedes mosquitoes, a huge amount of money has to be spent in medical care, with a slow rate of recovery. Hence, we have to stay vigilant and ensure that mosquitoes that spread the disease are destroyed,” added Baral.

Sudden fever, headache, stomach-ache, nausea, pain in the joints, eye pain among others are said to be symptoms of dengue and can be diagnosed through blood test. Health facilities owned by the state offer the services for free.

It has been reported that as many as 500 people have been diagnosed with the disease across the country. The highest number of patients are from Chitwan at 367 while the number stands at 100 in Jhapa, as per Epidemiology and Disease Control Division.

Likewise, one patient each in Kailali, Kanchanpur, Rupandehi, Parsa, Saptari, Kaski, Kavre, Dhading, Syangja, Kathmandu, and Lalitpur have been reported. The division has launched a search and destroy campaign in those districts.