Government Urges Vigilance Over Rising Dengue Risk

The government has urged 13 local governments to adopt precautionary measures against dengue infection after recent surveillance indicated a rising risk of transmission.

The Epidemiology and Disease Control Division has been studying the dengue situation across all local levels since January.

Based on the findings, it has sent alert notices to Siddhicharan Municipality of Okhaldhunga, Bhadrpur, Birtamod, Mechi and Kachankawal in Jhapa, Dharan Sub-metropolitan City in Sunsari, Beni Municipality in Myagdi, Bharatpur Metropolitan City in Chitwan, Butwal Sub-metropolitan City in Rupandehi, Hetauda Sub-metropolitan City in Makwanpur, Kamalamai Municipality in Sindhuli and Lalitpur Metropolitan City.

Dr. Gokarna Prasad Dahal, Chief of the Vector-Borne Disease Section, said while sporadic cases have been reported in other areas, a relatively higher level of infection has been detected in these 13 local units, prompting the advisory.

He added that dengue is transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which breed in clean stagnant water.