Seven Dead, Over 12,000 Infected as Dengue Outbreak Hits Gandaki Province

Seven people, including three men and four women, have died from dengue infection in Gandaki Province this year, according to the Ministry of Health. The first death occurred on July 25, when a 48-year-old man from Tanahun succumbed to the disease. Since then, dengue has claimed six more lives: a 40-year-old man from Kaski on August 6, a 52-year-old woman from Kaski on August 15, a 61-year-old man from Myagdi on September 4, and three elderly women aged 81, 70, and 75 from Kaski between September and October.

As of October, the Ministry has confirmed 12,726 dengue cases in Gandaki Province since January 2024. Pokhara, the province’s capital, has been the most affected area, with 6,452 confirmed cases reported within the Pokhara Metropolitan City.

The number of dengue infections has surged dramatically in recent months. While 70 cases were reported in January, the figure soared to 4,083 in August and 6,720 in September. Kaski district leads with 6,548 confirmed cases, while Manang has the lowest count with just two cases.

Other districts have also been significantly affected, with 2,861 cases reported in Tanahun, 1,146 in Parbat, 664 in Gorkha, 539 in Baglung, 443 in Syangja, 213 in Myagdi, 181 in Nawalpur, 120 in Lamjung, and nine in Mustang.

Health experts have warned that the risk of dengue infection remains high between June and November.