Kathmandu, September 15

Frequent rainfall in the capital is likely to increase the number of dengue causing mosquitoes. High temperature accompanied by frequent rainfall has been providing favourable environment for the mosquitoes to breed.

“The rainfall pattern and temperature provide favourable environment for mosquitoes to breed. Heavy rainfall would wash away eggs and larvae of the mosquito, but current pattern of rainfall is likely to increase dengue causing mosquitoes,” said Bibek Kumar Lal, director of Epidemiology and Disease Control Division.

Rainwater gets accumulated holes in trees, empty vessels and on the surface. The mosquitoes lay eggs and in favourable temperature these eggs develop into adult mosquitoes.

“As the climate of the capital is changing, number of dengue cases will rise,” said an official from Epidemiology and Disease Control Division.

As many as 1,170 dengue cases were reported inside Kathmandu valley till September 10. “Many of the patients are from Khusibo, Sano Bharyang and Balkhu,” said Anup Bastola, Spokesperson and Consultant Tropical Medicine Physician at Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, Teku.

Lalitpur and Bhaktapur have reported 35 and 33 dengue cases, respectively within the time period. According to Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, as many as 5,095 people from across the country have tested positive for dengue till Tuesday.

More than 400 patients visited Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospitalon a daily basis and some 50 per cent of them tested positive for dengue.

“To control dengue outbreak, search and destroy strategy should be adopted,” said Lal.

Though number of dengue patients visiting various health facilities across the country has increased at an alarming rate, the Ministry of Health and Population claimed it has been actively working to prevent dengue spread. “Various training programmes have been conducted for health practitioners and circulars have been sent to administration offices of all 77 districts, directing them to help in search and destroy of dengue causing mosquitoes,” said Mahendra Shrestha.

“Students and police personnel will also be mobilised soon as part of campaign to contain dengue,” Shrestha added.

“An effective intervention programme is necessary to prevent dengue. Resources from all local levels should be mobilised for search and destroy of mosquitoes,” said Bastola.

This year dengue cases have been detected in 56 of 77 districts. Dengue virus is transmitted to humans when a female Aedes aegypti mosquito bites a person. It is more likely to bite early in the morning or before dusk.

Symptoms of dengue include high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, pain in muscles and bones and rashes and back pain.