Kanchapur Reports 28 Dengue Infections in Six Months

Kanchapur. In the last six months of the current financial year, 28 people have been confirmed with dengue infection in the district. Kanchapur has the highest number of infected people among the nine districts of Sudurpashchim Province, prompting health bodies to urge for vigilance and effective community-level prevention activities.

According to Siddharaj Bhatta, Malaria Inspector and Vector-borne Disease Focal Person at the Health Office, dengue infection has been confirmed in 28 people, including five in January, six in February, five in March, seven in April, two in May, and three in June.

According to him, a total of 70 people have been infected in the Sudurpashchim Province during the same period. Among them, after Kanchapur, 13 were found in Achham, 10 in Kailali, eight in Dadeldhura, six in Bajhang, three in Doti, and one each in Dadeldhura and Baitadi.

Dengue is a viral disease transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes of the species 'Aedes aegypti' and 'Aedes albopictus'. Bhatta stated that this mosquito lays eggs primarily in clean, stagnant water and is more active during the day, thus requiring special attention to prevent water from accumulating around homes, schools, offices, and public places.

"There are four types of dengue viruses," said Bhatta, "although infection with one type of dengue may not recur, infection with another type can occur. The second infection can be more complex and risky, so it is necessary to be more vigilant."

The incubation period for dengue typically ranges from three to 10 days. The Health Office stated that symptoms of infection include fever of 102 to 103 degrees Fahrenheit, headache, pain behind the eyes, abdominal and joint pain, nausea, skin rash, and in severe cases, internal or external bleeding.

Parmanand Bhatta, Chief of the Health Branch of Shuklaphanta Municipality, said that if infected individuals are tested and treated in time, the mortality rate from dengue can be limited to less than two percent. According to him, infants, pregnant women, the elderly, obese individuals, those with chronic illnesses, and patients with excessive bleeding are at high risk of dengue.

He advised that paracetamol can be used to reduce fever, but strongly recommended against using medications like ibuprofen and aspirin without a doctor's consultation.

The lifespan of aedes mosquito is about 30 days. During this period, a female mosquito can lay five hundred to one thousand eggs. Dengue virus can also be present in new mosquitoes born from the eggs of infected mosquitoes.

According to health worker Krishnaraj Joshi, the eggs of dengue-transmitting mosquitoes can survive for months even without water. Therefore, preventing water accumulation is the most effective way to control it.

Dengue was first confirmed in Nepal in 2061 BS (2004 AD) in a foreign national. Since then, this infection has been spreading to various districts every year. Climate change, rapid urbanization, weak disease surveillance systems, lack of timely testing, migration, and low community participation are currently identified as major challenges in dengue control.

Malaria Inspector Bhatta informed that the necessary budget has been allocated for the search and destroy program for dengue-transmitting mosquito larvae in all nine local levels of Kanchapur. Under this campaign, along with destroying larvae, cleaning, public awareness enhancement, community mobilization, discussions, and seminars will be conducted, the Health Office stated.

Health workers have appealed to the public to regularly clean flower pots, vases, drums, tires, and containers, keep drinking water tanks covered, install nets on windows and doors, and use mosquito nets even when sleeping during the day.