BANIYANI, JHAPA: There is a high risk of dengue outbreak in three Tarai districts of the country, including Jhapa.

Jhapa, Rupandehi and Mahottari districts have higher dengue infection rate, according to the statistics of Department of Epidemiology and Disease Prevention Division, Department of Health Services.

Last year, Rupandehi witnessed 677 dengue-infected cases, which was the highest. Jhapa stood second with 535 dengue patients while Mahottari saw 438 dengue cases.

According to Dr Bibek Kumar Lal of the Division, at least three persons died in three districts including Jhapa due to dengue last year. He said that dengue epidemic has increased over the years. "In the past 50 years, dengue infection has increased 30 folds," Dr Lal shared.

He further informed that more than half of the total population of the world are prone to dengue infection.