PANCHTHAR: Mosquito-borne dengue -- which has been infecting locals in Tarai districts like Jhapa, Morang and Sunsari -- has also reached Panchthar district.

As many as five persons -- living in different areas of Phidim, the district headquarters of Panchthar, who went to health facilities for a check-up complaining of fever -- were found to have been infected with dengue.

It has been reported that the infected persons visited District Hospital and Samarpit Hospital in Phidim for the checkup. Since the District Hospital does not have a dengue test kit, the patients were referred to Samarpit Hospital for diagnosis.

According to Shishir Aangwole, Information Office at Samarpit Hospital, among the five patients, two were sent to Noble Hospital in Biratnagar, one to B & C Hospital in Jhapa, while the other two were admitted in Samarpit Hospital for treatment.

The doctors have alerted the locals to be careful for the prevention of dengue infection. Dr Buddhi Bahadur Thapa, Chief of District Hospital, Panchthar, informed that dengue in the district might have spread from Jhapa, Morang or Sunsari districts.