Dengue spreading at an alarming rate in Chitwan

CHITWAN: The number of dengue patients has increased at an alarming rate in Chitwan district of late. As many as two thousand and forty-six people were diagnosed with the disease in the past two months.

According to Vector Control Inspector Ram KC at District Health Office, Chitwan, out of 6,639 blood samples 2,046 tested positive for the mosquito-borne disease.

"With the dengue outbreak in the area, campaigns have been launched to find mosquito larvae and destroy them. We are also conducting regular awareness programmes in the areas," KC said.

Both the government and private hospitals have seen a spike in the number of people visiting the hospital complaining of fever in the Nepali month of Bhadra as compared to last month, KC shared.

With the rise in dengue patients, there is a shortage of blood testing kit in the hospitals. Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chitwan (CCIC) handed over 500 testing kits to Bharatpur Hospital amid a programme today.

Earlier, Bharatpur Metropolitan City had provided a 1,000 and Rotary Club contributed 500 kits to the hospital. According to Bharatpur Hospital Communication Officer Liladhar Paudel, at least four hundred persons with fever visit the hospital on a daily basis.

The hospital is providing free dengue testing service whereas people visiting private hospitals are compelled to pay an exorbitant fee, Paudel shared.