KATHMANDU: Summer is considered a more vulnerable season for health compared to winter, with a higher risk of infections, allergies, and diseases caused by parasites and poor hygiene.
As the country enters the peak of the summer season, doctors are warning the public about increased health risks due to rapid food spoilage and the surge in disease-spreading insects like flies, mosquitoes, and cockroaches.
Common seasonal health issues during this time include fever, cold, diarrhea, and allergic skin rashes.
According to health experts, the digestive system becomes more sensitive in summer, leading to a higher likelihood of illness due to poor food digestion.
“Infectious diseases are a recurring concern every summer, and this year is no different. We’re already seeing patients affected by various infections,” said infectious disease specialist Dr. Sher Bahadur Pun.
Two waves of disease spread in summer
Dr. Pun explains that infectious diseases typically spread in two waves during summer. The first wave involves water-borne and food-borne diseases, while the second wave, which usually coincides with the monsoon season, sees a rise in tick- and insect-borne as well as airborne diseases.
Diarrhea and typhoid are among the most common water-borne diseases during this season. Dr. Pun warns that if diarrhea is not treated in time, it can escalate into cholera, which may be fatal.
Additionally, viral hepatitis A and B, lotus pitta, and other gastrointestinal illnesses are often spread through contaminated food and water.
“These diseases tend to emerge early in the summer and are further exacerbated by flooding and landslides that contaminate water sources,” Dr. Pun said, urging the public to avoid stale or spoiled food and to drink only boiled water.
He also noted that, while previously daily wage workers and children were the most vulnerable groups, now people of all age groups are being affected—partly due to the widespread use of jarred water in households, which may not always be safe.
Insect-borne diseases on the rise
Although insect-borne diseases occur year-round, their numbers increase significantly during the monsoon. Dr. Pun noted the appearance of Chikungunya and Japanese Encephalitis in Nepal last year and warned that neighboring India has reported Zika virus cases.
“Since dengue and Zika viruses are spread by the same type of mosquito, the risk of Zika reaching Nepal cannot be ruled out,” he said. “Dengue cases are reported every year and are expected to continue until the Dashain and Tihar festivals.”
Preventive measures
To prevent the spread of infectious diseases, Dr. Pun emphasizes the importance of personal hygiene. Key recommendations include:
Washing hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after meals
Avoiding stale, rotten, or uncovered food
Drinking only boiled or purified water
Washing vegetables and fruits properly before consumption
To prevent airborne infections, people should:
Avoid crowded public places
Maintain distance from infected individuals
Wear masks in crowded areas
Pay special attention to children and pregnant women
For insect-borne diseases, keeping the home environment clean and eliminating mosquito breeding grounds is essential.
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