14-year-old Santoshi explains how dengue fever is on the increase in Nepal
Dengue fever is a viral infection spread by infected mosquitos, leading to an estimated 40,000 deaths every year around the world. In Nepal there is an increase in dengue transmission during the monsoon season, which usually lasts from June to August.
According to the most recent data from the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD) of Nepal’s Ministry of Health, this year there have been 7,519 cases across the country as of 9 November. So far, six people have died, and the outbreak has spread to 75 out of 77 districts.
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About half the world’s population is at risk of dengue, with an estimated 100-400 million infections occurring each year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
There are four types of dengue fever: DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3 and DENV-4, the most serious. The virus is mainly spread by bites from the Aedes mosquito; it does not transmit from one person to another directly.
Symptoms include high fever, headache, body aches, nausea and rashes. Most people who get dengue have no symptoms or recover within one to two weeks. But some people are severely impacted and require hospital care. In some cases, it is fatal.
Dengue is a relatively new disease in Nepal. The first case of dengue infection was reportedin 2004: a Japanese tourist is thought to have ‘imported’ the mosquito-transmitted virus after contracting it in India.
The first dengue outbreak occurred in 2006, with a major widespread outbreak in 2010. The worst outbreak to date was in 2022, with 54,784 reported cases across all 77 districts of the country and 88 deaths.
In Nepal, the disease is mainly seen during the monsoon season due to heavy rain. The rain is beneficial for farming, but it also creates many opportunities for mosquitoes to breed.
Another problem is that Nepal does not have a good waste management system. In many places, trash is thrown on the streets, in rivers or in places where water collects. Similarly, many roads are not properly constructed and potholes collect water. This becomes an ideal breeding ground for mosquitos, who cannot lay eggs in running water.
It has also been reported that cases are rising in Nepal due to global warming and climate change. The lowland Terai region, the hottest area of Nepal and the most prone to dengue outbreaks, has recently witnessed a rise in the number of cases. But the disease has also spread to higher elevations and previously unaffected areas. The monsoon season is also lasting longer.
Unicef South Asia has helpful advice on how to protect yourself and your family against dengue. To avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes, you should use mosquito nets and wear clothing that does not leave exposed areas of skin. To prevent mosquitos from laying eggs, make sure you empty any containers that could collect water and manage waste properly.
The Nepalese government needs to focus on improving roads and sanitation. By doing this, we can protect ourselves and our communities from disease spread by mosquitoes.
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