‘Implement search and destroy strategy to control dengue’

Kathmandu, September 13

Health experts have said the strategy of search and destroy dengue-causing mosquitoes, their eggs and larvae should be implemented at the earliest, to contain dengue outbreak across the country.

Health experts said so as dengue had spread across the country at an alarming rate. According to data provided by Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, Teku, from among the 4,577 patients who visited the hospital from September 1 to September 12, as many as 2,321 had tested positive for dengue.

“Many of the patients visiting the hospital are from Kathmandu,” said Anup Bastola, spokesperson and consultant tropical medicine physician at STIDH.

It is necessary to destroy mosquito breeding areas to contain dengue outbreak. Dengue can be prevented if we keep our environment clean. Any places where water gets accumulated should be filled, he added. Keeping in view the high number of patients at the hospital, it has decided to run the out-patient department even on Saturday. The OPD service will be provided right from the morning.

According to Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, 5,095 people from across the country have tested positive for dengue, till Tuesday. “Until we prevent mosquito breeding, it is difficult to control dengue spread,” said Ghanashyam Pokharel, senior public health administrator at EDCD. “There should be sound co-operation and co-ordination between the three tiers of government to control dengue spread.”

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.

The symptoms of dengue include high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, pain in muscles and bones, rashes and back pain, among others.