Rain triggers dengue risk, public urged to stay alert
The Ministry of Health and Population has urged the public to take precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the mosquito-borne disease.
KATHMANDU: With the beginning of the rainy season, the risk of a dengue outbreak is rising across Nepal.
The Ministry of Health and Population has urged the public to take precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the mosquito-borne disease.
Dr. Gokarna Prasad Dahal, Chief of the Vector-Borne Disease Control Section at the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, warned that stagnant water creates breeding grounds for mosquitoes that transmit dengue. “When water accumulates, it creates an ideal environment for the development of dengue-carrying mosquitoes. It takes about 15 to 20 days for these mosquitoes to mature, so the coming weeks pose a high risk of transmission,” he stated.
The two primary mosquito species responsible for spreading dengue—Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus—lay eggs in stagnant water. These eggs hatch into larvae and later develop into adult mosquitoes capable of transmitting the virus to humans.
In light of this risk, Dr. Dahal emphasized the importance of community vigilance and urged people to eliminate any sources of standing water around their homes and surroundings.
According to Dr. Dahal, letters have already been sent to 35 local governments that reported high dengue incidence last year, advising them to step up preventive and control measures. Since Poush 17, 2081 B.S.), a total of 968 dengue cases have been reported.
In 2024, dengue spread across 76 districts in Nepal, infecting 41,865 people and claiming 15 lives, according to official data.
Health authorities stress that early action and community participation are crucial in preventing another widespread outbreak.
