KATHMANDU, AUGUST 20
Nepal has reported 2,844 dengue cases from 74 districts between January 1 and August 15, with health authorities warning that infections could increase during and after the monsoon.
According to the latest analysis by the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD), Gandaki Province has recorded the highest number of cases at 1,010, followed by Koshi with 674, Lumbini with 435 and Bagmati with 427. Sudurpaschim has reported 122 cases, while Madhesh and Karnali have recorded 88 cases each. Two dengue-related deaths have been verified so far this year.
Baglung has reported the highest number of cases among districts at 470, followed by Jhapa with 208, Sunsari with 205, Kaski with 178 and Palpa with 126. Kathmandu has reported 115 cases, Gorkha 101, Tanahun 98, Rupandehi 78 and Okhaldhunga 76.
At the local level, Baglung Municipality has recorded 395 cases, followed by Bhadrapur Municipality with 106, Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City with 90 and Itahari Municipality with 88.
The EDCD has been conducting fortnightly assessments of the dengue situation and providing prevention and control recommendations in areas reporting higher infections. It has also launched a three-month dengue awareness campaign covering Shrawan, Bhadra and Ashwin, with emphasis on regular monitoring and management of mosquito breeding sites.
Nepal marks World Mosquito Day
The dengue awareness drive comes as Nepal joins the global observance of World Mosquito Day on August 20 under the theme "Small Bite, Big Threat."
Although more than 3,500 mosquito species have been reported worldwide, 168 species have so far been identified in Nepal, according to the EDCD.
On the eve of World Mosquito Day, the EDCD also released Vectors of Public Health Importance of Nepal: A Country Profile in the presence of the Director General of the Department of Health Services and other stakeholders.
The publication establishes baseline data on disease-transmitting vectors reported in Nepal and is expected to serve as a reference for vector-borne diseases including dengue, malaria, kala-azar, lymphatic filariasis and Japanese encephalitis.
Health authorities have urged people to prevent mosquito bites and keep their surroundings clean, particularly by eliminating stagnant water where mosquitoes can breed. They have also stressed the need for continued surveillance and management of breeding sites during the monsoon and post-monsoon period.
"Prevent mosquito bites. Keep your surroundings clean," the EDCD said, urging the public to participate in the three-month dengue awareness campaign.