Focus On Dengue Control

Dengue epidemic is now spreading at an alarming rate across the country. Around 30 people succumbed to it while 22,988 dengue cases have been detected so far. The mosquito-transmitted viral disease has emerged as a public health emergency at a time when the health care system has already stretched thin owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, health experts state that the treatment of dengue fever is cost-effective if it has been identified in time. But severe dengue is fatal as there is no specific medicine and treatment of it so prevention is the best option to avoid the dengue infection. WHO states that severe dengue causes serious illness and death but early detection of disease progression and access to proper medical support reduces fatality rates of severe dengue to below 1 per cent. Dengue that is found in tropical and sub-tropical climates globally has spread from the Terai plains to the hills and mountains in Nepal, which indicates that the vectors (Aedes aegypti mosquitoes) have adjusted to climates in higher altitude.