Amid a steady rise in dengue cases across the country, the World Health Organisation’s South-East Asia Region invited technical experts from its collaborative centre in Thailand to impart case management training to health workers in Nepal.
The Ministry of Health and Population had sought the help of the UN body for the same.
“The UN health agency had invited four technical experts from its collaborative centre in Thailand to impart training to our health workers upon our request,” said Dr Gokarna Dahal, chief of the Vector Control Section at the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division. “An expert team [some three weeks ago] imparted knowledge of case management, critical care, nursing care and how the infected children are to be taken care of to the health workers from all the provinces.”
At least one person has died and more than 2,500 people across the country have been infected by the dengue virus, as of Friday. Cases of infection from the virus have been reported from around 70 districts, including from mountainous ones, namely Sankhuwasabha, Myagdi and Darchula. Officials say most cases have been reported from Dharan of Sunsari, and Dhading and Kaski districts. All three districts of the Valley have reported dengue cases.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease transmitted by female Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. The same vector also transmits chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika, according to the World Health Organisation.
According to doctors, mild to high fever, severe muscle pain, rashes, severe headache and pain in the eyes are some of the symptoms of dengue. Doctors advise that those experiencing these symptoms should immediately seek treatment. While there is no specific cure for the disease, early detection and access to proper medical care can lower fatalities.
Dengue-transmitting mosquitoes breed in clean water and bite people in daylight. Uncovered water tanks and discarded objects such as plastic cups and bottles could be breeding grounds for dengue-carrying mosquitoes.
Officials at the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division said that most of the cases were reported in June and July.
