Personal action vital to contain dengue spread

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BY A STAFF REPORTER, Kathmandu, Sept 29 : With the rise in dengue cases across the nation, it has become crucial to take personal actions to prevent mosquito bites and keep dengue at bay.

Speaking at a media briefing today, Dr. Sameer Kumar Adhikari, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), said that avoiding mosquito bite and destroying mosquito breeding sites are very essential to contain the spread of dengue. 

He asked people to wear long-sleeved shirt, light-coloured clothes, to apply insect repellent during day time, to use household insecticide, mosquito coils and other insecticide vaporisers to stay away from dengue. 

Nepal has been witnessing alarming rise in dengue cases for the past few weeks. As per the data provided by the MoHP, 27,569 cases of dengue have been reported and 36 people have died from across the nation as of Wednesday.

According to the MoHP, Bagmati Province has reported the highest number of dengue cases at 21,589 followed by Lumbini Province with 3,050 cases. Likewise, 815 cases were detected in Province 1; 821 in Sudhurpaschim Province, 653 in Gandaki Province; 405 in Madhesh Province and 236 in Karnali Province.

Dengue is also called ‘break-bone fever’ and the patients show the symptoms 3-7 days after the bite of mosquitos – Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. It bites throughout the day, especially between 6-8am and 4-6pm.

Dr. Gokarna Dahal, head of NTD and Vector Borne Disease Control Division under the Epidiomology and Disease Control Division (EDCD), dengue-causing mosquitos breed in water containers including tanks, cisterns, coconut shells, flower pots, egg shells, water drum, discarded cups and bottles.

The breeding sites should be destroyed by safely disposing items that can collect water, said Dr. Dahal.   

He suggested preventing mosquitoes from breeding by covering existing water containers including water tanks and buckets. The water containers should be scrubbed cleaned at least every seven days. 

“We all need to play crucial role to prevent and stop dengue infection,” said Dr. Dahal and asked all to help search and destroy mosquito breeding sites. Community participation is key to containing the spread of dengue, he added. 

The MoHP has been conducting search and destroy campaigns and awareness activities in coordination with the local levels and stakeholders in the districts.  

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