Panchthar, August 21 Panchthar has witnessed a steady increase in dengue patients over the past few weeks. According to District Health Office Chief Tej Bahadur Tumbapo, so far 21 persons are confirmed to have contracted the mosquito-borne disease over a fortnight since the disease was first detected in the district. “Dengue was first seen in two persons of a family in Phidim Municipality-1 on August-5. Besides Phidim-1, the disease has been seen in wards 11 and 12 of the same municipality and Ektin of Phalelung Rural Municipality-2 and Bharapa of Hilihang Rural Municipality-7,” he said. Further, Tumbapo informed that the district hospital is conducting free blood test of suspected dengue patients. “Earlier, we didn’t have the required kit and so we used to refer suspected cases to a private hospital to confirm the disease. But with more dengue cases reported in the district, we’ve started free test of suspected cases from the district hospital after bringing the required kit,” said Tumbapo. According to Chief District Officer Murari Wasti, more medicine and kits will be arriving in the district soon. “We had 30 kits and as there only a few left now, we’ve asked the provincial government to send us more of them along with medicines,” said the CDO, adding that circulars had been sent to all the local bodies in the district regarding precautionary measures against the disease.