Sunsari, June 13

With dengue spreading rampantly in Dharan, the Sunsari District Public Health Office has declared the sub-metropolis an outbreak-hit region.

The disease that first appeared on May 14 has so far been seen in more than 500 people, thus prompting the health office to make the declaration on the recommendation of a rapid response team formed by Dharan sub-metropolis and BP Koirala Institute of Health and Sciences for containing the outbreak.

“The outbreak declaration was made amidst slim possibility of controlling the disease despite our best efforts,” said the sub-metropolis health department Chief Rambabu Yadav.

As per the guidelines of World Health Organisation, a place can be declared an outbreak-hit place on the basis of symptoms attributable to the same disease without necessary tests in the face of growing number of people contracting the disease.

According to Province 1 Health Director Bhogendra Dotel, three of the dengue-hit patients are in serious condition in Dharan. Others’ condition is reported to be normal.

Meanwhile, the province is all set to start its work to control the disease by forming a work plan within a week with the disease being declared an outbreak now.

It’s important to note that dengue had also appeared in Dharan last year and the previous year as well. But the outbreak this year has posed more challenge given its appearance well before the monsoon.