KATHMANDU: Once considered a disease confined to the summer and monsoon seasons, dengue fever has now become a year-round threat in Nepal.
Experts attribute this alarming shift to the growing impacts of climate change, which have extended the breeding season of mosquitoes and disrupted traditional rainfall patterns.
Dengue is primarily spread by the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which usually lay eggs in clean, stagnant water during the monsoon. However, these mosquitoes are now active throughout the year—even in cooler, high-altitude regions—raising the risk of year-round transmission and making dengue one of Nepal’s growing public health challenges.
Over 1,600 dengue cases recorded
As of now, Nepal has recorded over 1,600 dengue cases across all seven provinces, according to the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD) under the Department of Health Services.
The highest number of infections has been reported in Bagmati Province (404), followed by Gandaki (358), Koshi (334), Lumbini (278), Sudurpaschim (232), Karnali (36), and Madhesh (31).
In just the past week alone, 71 new cases were confirmed, with Gandaki reporting the highest weekly increase of 20 new cases.
Health officials warn that if infections continue to rise at this pace, Nepal may face another outbreak similar to last year, when more than 45,000 people were infected and 15 died due to dengue.
“Next four months critical”
Dr. Gokarna Dahal, head of the Vector-Borne Disease Section at the EDCD, emphasized the urgent need for public awareness and preventive action.
“If the public doesn’t stay alert and take prevention seriously, we could face the same crisis as last year,” he warned, adding that the next four months pose the highest risk.
Authorities have ramped up prevention campaigns in coordination with local governments. In Kathmandu, the metropolitan city has convened ward-level meetings to address dengue and other monsoon-related diseases.
Budhanilkantha Municipality, for instance, has launched school-based awareness programs, asking schools to dedicate one class per week to educating students (grades 8–10) on dengue prevention.
“We encourage students to inspect their homes and surroundings every Saturday for stagnant water and to practice safety measures like using mosquito nets,” said Kumar Prasad Dahal, head of the health division at Budhanilkantha Municipality.
Government and private offices have also been requested to conduct clean-up activities on Fridays and Saturdays, focusing on removing standing water and maintaining hygiene around workplaces and homes.
The municipality has arranged free dengue testing at several community health institutions, including Kapan Health Post and the municipal hospital. Anyone experiencing fever, body aches, or related symptoms is advised to get tested.
How to prevent dengue
The Ministry of Health has issued the following dengue prevention tips:
- Wear long-sleeved clothing
- Sleep under mosquito nets
- Install screens on windows and doors
- Avoid letting water collect in open spaces or containers
- Fill puddles and repair leaking taps or pipes
- Replace water in flower pots, coolers, and vases at least once a week
- Cover water storage containers to prevent mosquito breeding
- Be especially cautious in gardens and parks during early mornings and evenings
Health officials urge the public to remain vigilant and proactive, warning that the fight against dengue will require collective effort and sustained attention, especially in the face of changing climate patterns.
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