Panchthar, August 26

Panchthar has witnessed a rise in the number of dengue patients. Record maintained by Panchthar District Hospital revealed that 98 persons were diagnosed with dengue in the district.

People suffering from dengue have been visiting from Phidim, Nagin, Lungrupa, Memeng, Subhang and Chyangthapu on a daily basis, according to Narayan Joshi, information officer at the hospital.

Dr Puskar Niroula at Samarpit Hospital in Phidim said that presence of dengue virus in hilly area was a new phenomenon. Dengue patients have also been reported in neighbouring districts, according to Dr Niroula. Dengue was first reported in the district on July 19 this year.

Health workers said that Aedesaegypti female mosquito, vector of dengue virus, which was once limited to Tarai region migrated to hilly region due to climate change.

Chief at Panchthar District Health Office Tej Bahadur Tumbapo said officials from district administration office, district health office, and local level representatives held a meeting to discuss measures to control the disease.

He said that the meeting decided to demand equipment and medicines from the Provincial Ministry of Social Development to contain dengue. Tumbapo said that locals were asked to adopt preventive measures against the disease by using mosquito nets and keeping the surroundings clean.