Dengue fever: Symptoms, treatment and prevention

Dengue fever, commonly known as break-bone fever, has emerged as a major global health concern since the 1940s. The rise in cases can be attributed to factors such as increased travel, rapid urbanisation, poor sanitation, ineffective mosquito control, and improved disease surveillance. It is now prevalent in tropical regions, with Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, and the Middle East being heavily affected. About 40 per cent of the world’s population is at risk, with over one hundred countries reporting endemic cases.

In Nepal, dengue has become a recurring public health problem, with outbreaks occurring during the monsoon and post-monsoon seasons due to favourable mosquito breeding conditions. Efforts by the government and international organisations have been focused on surveillance, prevention, and control measures to combat the disease. However, despite the efforts, it continues to spread across the country.