KASKI: At least 1,481 infection cases have been confirmed in Kaski district, said the district health office. The number of patients with dengue visiting Pokhara Hospital has increased in recent days, said the hospital.

A total of 11 dengue patients are receiving treatment at the Western Regional Hospital under the Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences. Of the patients, two are receiving care in the intensive care unit, said the hospital director Dr Bharat Bahadur Khatri.

“Now dengue infection is increasing every day. It seems the infection will increase in some more days as the rain has not stopped. The symptoms include high fever, body aches, headache, eye aches, vomiting, exhaustion, and joint pains,” he said.

The health office chief Badri Acharya said awareness is important to avoid infection and mosquito bites.

“Infection is increasing in Kaski. The launch of awareness programs has not been effective. The best way to be safe from dengue is to avoid mosquito bites. For this, it is necessary to inform all people about safety measures like filling pits where water is collected and replenishing the water from AC and coolers daily,” he said.

According to Acharya, the ward office and various other organizations had been organizing various awareness programs in Pokhara. “Following the increase of infection, a ‘search and destroy’ campaign has been launched,” he said. Dengue infection increases due to the deposition of water in pits and ditches during the rainy season, said doctors.

Gandaki Province has recorded 6,778 infection cases so far, according to the Ministry of Social Development and Health. According to the ministry, out of the total 11 districts in the province, Tanahun and Kaski have had the highest infection rate so far. All the districts in the province have reported dengue infection except Mustang.