Dengue and Cholera Cases Surge Across Nepal Amid Rainy Season

The onset of the rainy season has led to a significant rise in dengue and cholera infections across Nepal. According to the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, dengue infections have spread to 75 districts, affecting a total of 5,119 people. Dr. Gokarna Prasad Dahal, Head of the Department of Entomological Disease Branch, reported that only Humla and Mustang districts have remained free of dengue.

So far this year, dengue has claimed three lives. The disease is primarily spread by the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which thrive in clean standing water where they lay their eggs. The adult mosquitoes transmit dengue to humans through bites.

In the Kathmandu Valley alone, 421 people in Kathmandu, 58 in Bhaktapur, and 79 in Lalitpur have been infected with dengue. The accumulation of water during the rainy season provides an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes, increasing the risk of dengue transmission.

In response to the surge in cases, the Ministry of Health and Population has urged citizens to participate in a “Search and Destroy Mosquitoes” campaign every Friday. This initiative aims to eliminate mosquito breeding sites in government and non-government offices, as well as hospital premises. The government has also announced that it will cover the cost of treating dengue patients in government hospitals.

Meanwhile, cholera cases have also risen, with 67 reported across the country. Dr. Dahal noted that cholera patients have been found in Lalitpur, Kathmandu, Pyuthan, Makwanpur, and Kailali. Specifically, 47 cases have been confirmed in Lalitpur, nine in Kathmandu, eight in Kailali, two in Pyuthan, and one in Makwanpur.

The increase in these infections highlights the urgent need for preventive measures and public awareness to curb the spread of these diseases during the rainy season.