KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 26While approximately two million people are expected to leave the Kathmandu Valley during Dashain, and the Department of Transportation has issued 20-point directives to ensure safe and hassle-free travel, dengue fever could cause problems during Dashain if safety precautions are not taken, as dengue fever has spread to 76 districts so far. 1.8 mln people expected to leave Kathmandu valley this festive season Dengue cases surpass 6,000, over 600 reported in Kathmandu Valley Experts believe that if dengue continues to spread at this rate, it could become dangerous during Dashain.

According to the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD), dengue infection has spread to all districts except Jumla.According to EDCD data, there have been 12,644 confirmed dengue cases in 76 districts, with six deaths until September 23. According to EDCD, Kaski has the highest number of confirmed cases, followed by Tanahun, Kathmandu, and Parbat.It has been confirmed in 1,903 individuals in Kaski, 1,645 in Tanahun, 1,540 in Kathmandu, and 1,110 in Parbat.EDCD reported that 733 people in Chitwan, 451 in Gorkha, 347 in Lalitpur, 285 in Baglung, 234 in Syangja, and 215 in Kailali had been confirmed to have dengue.Furthermore, in the current fiscal year, which began on July 16, hospitals in Chitwan reported 1,492 positive dengue cases.

Of these, 1,155 are from within the district, and 337 are from outside.Dinesh Rupakheti, Chief of the Public Health Office in Chitwan, stated that 1,492 cases were detected from 5,113 tests during the first two and a half months of this fiscal year.

Bharatpur Metropolis has the highest number of infections, with 462 cases and two deaths.The majority of dengue cases have been confirmed in the Gandaki, Bagmati, and Koshi provinces.

Dengue fever has been confirmed in 5,971 people in Gandaki province, 3602 in Bagmati, and 1,193 in Koshi province.

Similarly, dengue fever has been confirmed in 819 people in Lumbini province, 176 in Karnali province, 245 in Madhes province, and 638 in Sudurpaschim.Dengue is transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes, primarily Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, which breed in stagnant water-a common occurrence during the rainy season.Dengue fever symptoms include high fever, headaches, severe eye pain, joint pain, and general discomfort.

In severe cases, known as the Critical Phase, patients' platelet counts fall, resulting in plasma leakage, haemorrhage, shock, and severe organ dysfunction.

Once infected, humans become the primary carriers of the virus, transmitting it to uninfected mosquitoes.The virus remains in the blood of an infected person for 2–7 days, usually during the fever period.

After an incubation period of 4-10 days, infection with any of the four dengue virus types can cause a range of illnesses, though most infections are asymptomatic or very mild.Recovery from one dengue virus type provides lifelong immunity to that type, but only partial and temporary protection against the other three types.Evidence suggests that infection with various types raises the risk of severe dengue.

Severity is determined by secondary infection, age, and other medical conditions such as diabetes and kidney disease.According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there is no specific treatment for dengue; however, timely detection of cases, identifying any warning signs of severe dengue infection, and appropriate case management are critical components of care to prevent patient death and can reduce severe infection fatality rates.According to EDCD, stakeholders could take steps such as destroying larvae and clearing mosquito habitats, as well as ensuring that critical supplies such as dengue kits, cetamol, and Jeevan Jal are available to those affected to be safe from dengue infections. .

This article first appeared/also appeared in https://thehimalayantimes.com