KATHMANDU: At a time when dengue epidemic has gripped most of the parts of the country, Kathmanduties, however, can breathe a little sigh of relief as the number of dengue patients in the federal capital has come down of late.

Kathmandu Valley recorded an abrupt drop in temperature following rainfalls on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. This is the cause for fewer dengue cases reported in the Valley as the number of mosquitoes dwindles with a dip in the mercury.

Dengue virus is spread through the bite of female mosquitoes called ‘Aedes Aegypti.’ Such mosquitoes are most active in monsoon and their number decreases with a fall in temperature.

As per the record, 254 people were found having dengue fever from July 1 to August 8. The number of dengue patients in Kathmandu reached 916 till August 10. On September 10, the number of people infected with dengue reached 1,170. But, only 161 people were diagnosed with dengue from September 11-18.

According to the record maintained by the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD), 1,331 people have been found infected with dengue from July 1 till September 18 in Kathmandu Valley.

As per the record, 254 people were found having dengue fever from July 1 to August 8. The number of dengue patients in Kathmandu reached 916 till August 10. On September 10, the number of people infected with dengue reached 1,170. But, only 161 people were diagnosed with dengue from September 11-18.

The data clearly shows that the number of people infected with dengue in Kathmandu is decreasing.

Dr. Sher Bahadur Pun at Shukraraaj Tropical & Infectious Disease Hospital too stated that the number of patients infected with dengue is dwindling.

“The number of new patients visiting the hospital is very thin for now. However, the number of patients coming for a follow-up checkup has increased,” he said, “Recent downpour in Kathmandu plummeted temperature due to which dengue-causing mosquitoes are less active.”

He, however, warned that the number of dengue-causing mosquitoes will increase once temperature increase as monsoon is yet to be over.

Thus, the danger of people catching dengue infection stills looms large, he said.

According to him, dengue-causing mosquitoes can’t survive in cold weather thus the epidemic will be contained in the winter season.

Mixed bag in states

As per the record maintained by EDCD, 831 dengue patients were found in State-1 from July 1 to September 8. According to the record, only 125 new patients were found in the state from September 11-18.

Likewise in State-2, 39 people caught dengue virus from July 1 to September 8. From then, till September 18, only 22 new dengue patients were recorded.

The number of dengue patients has also decreased in State-3 of late.  From July 1 to September 18, 3,929 people were diagnosed with dengue. Some 2,010 people with dengue were recorded from July 1 to September 8. 1,116 more people caught dengue virus in the next two days, as per the government data. But, only 803 were diagnosed with dengue from then till September 18.

However, the number of dengue patients has increased in Gandaki State. From July 1 to September 8, 896 people were infected with dengue. Then, 65 more were diagnosed with the disease in the next two days. Since then, 1,003 more people have caught the virus till September 18 taking the total number of people infected with dengue in the state to 1,964.

Following the suit, the number of dengue patients has also increased in State 5 with 99 new patients from September 10-18.

Likewise, four new dengue patients were recorded in Karnali State during the same period.

23 people were diagnosed with dengue in Sudur Pashim State till September 10. 25 new cases have been reported in the state till September 18.