Dengue Outbreak Claims Four Lives in Dharan, Urgent Measures Implemented to Combat the Surge

The BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences has been grappling with a severe dengue outbreak, resulting in the tragic demise of four individuals. The situation has escalated to the point where 75 people are being infected with dengue on a daily basis, putting immense strain on the healthcare system.

Responding to the escalating crisis, the Institute swiftly took action by putting 30 beds into immediate operation on Sunday, solely dedicated to treating dengue patients. Prahlad Karki, the acting Vice-Chancellor of the Institute, reported that this decision was made after the existing “Central Emergency” and “Dengue Clinic” facilities proved insufficient to handle the overwhelming influx of cases. As a temporary measure, the 100-bed Covid-19 hospital has been converted into a dengue hospital to accommodate the rising number of patients.

The severity of the situation led to the opening of a separate dengue hospital within the last two days when 85 percent of the beds in the 50-bed observation ward became occupied by dengue patients. For several days now, an alarming 60 to 75 people have been seeking treatment for dengue at the Institute’s emergency room daily.

Despite facing staffing challenges, the foundation remains committed to providing treatment and care for those affected by dengue. So far, the outbreak has claimed the lives of four individuals in the BP Foundation. Churamani Pokharel, an official from the institute, confirmed the deaths of a 30-year-old woman from Dharan 17 on June 6, a 40-year-old woman from Dharan 11 on June 30, an 80-year-old woman from Dharan 11 on July 18, and an 84-year-old woman from Dharan 18.

Recent examinations conducted at the hospital between 14-23 July revealed that out of 819 people tested, a staggering 615 individuals, amounting to 75%, were found to be infected with dengue. The outbreak has been particularly prevalent in wards 11, 15, 17, and 18 of Dharan. Due to the high number of patients from these areas, nearly 90 percent of those tested showed positive results for the dengue virus.

Dr. Pokharel, co-spokesperson of BP Foundation, elaborated on the treatment approach, mentioning that critically ill dengue patients would be placed in the ICU, emergency, and other wards, while those requiring direct supervision by healthcare professionals would be admitted to a specialized ward for proper care.

In response to the escalating crisis, Harkaraj Rai, the head of the local government, announced a comprehensive campaign to prevent further spread of the dengue outbreak throughout all wards of Dharan sub-metropolitan city. Urgent and united efforts are being taken to combat the dengue surge and safeguard the health and well-being of the local population.