Kathmandu, April 26

Cases of chickenpox are increasing in Kathmandu valley of late.

According to Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, three to four patients suffering from chickenpox are visiting the hospital daily.

“Most of the chickenpox patients are children. Children are prone to this viral infection as they have lower immunity,” said Dr Anup Bastola, consultant tropical medicine physician, dermatologist and venereologist at STIDH.

There is humidity in the air and the season is favourable for the virus to spread. This is why chickenpox cases are increasing, said the doctor.

Chickenpox is highly contagious disease caused by varicella zoster virus. Anyone suffering from the infection should be isolated so as to prevent transmission of infection to another person.  It is important for infected people to stay away from public areas so as to prevent transmission to others.