Kathmandu, October 3

The Epidemiology and Disease Control Division of the Department of Health Services said that it has started Dengue Search and Destroy campaign in Chitwan district from today.

The EDCD took this step as the number of people suffering from this deadly disease has risen significantly in the last few days.

The EDCD said that 65 people, including 52 from Chitwan, have so far tested positive for dengue in the last six weeks.

“We have started a Dengue Search and Destroy campaign and an awareness campaign in Chitwan,” Director at EDCD Dr Bhim Acharya said.

He informed that health workers, including female community health volunteers, community workers, teachers and social mobilisers from non-governmental organisations active in the district have been mobilised for the campaign.

According to Dr Acharya, health workers and volunteers will reach every household, destroy breeding grounds for mosquitoes, and ask people to use protective measures such as not hoarding water for long and wearing long-sleeved clothes.

The EDCD said that it would seek help from the army and police if needed.

“As of today, we have not sought the army’s   help for it would create panic among the people,” said Acharya, “But we will seek security agencies’ help if needed.”

Government health officials fear that there will be more cases of infection, as monsoon is yet to be over and dengue cases typically increase post-monsoon.

“The number of dengue patients could rise in the coming days,” Dr Acharya said, adding that hospitals in the district were admitting many people with symptoms of fever, most of them showing dengue-like symptoms. The disease exhibits symptoms like mild to high fever, severe headache, pain in the eyes, muscles, and rashes.

Apart from Chitwan, some patients from Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Dhading, Kavrepalanchowk, Saptari, Kaski, and Syangja have also tested positive for dengue.

Meanwhile, the EDCD said it has alerted health officials throughout the country about the possibility of a dengue epidemic.

The office claimed that EDCD had already sent necessary medicines and imparted training to health and community workers in Tarai.