Kathmandu, Aug 1: More than 5,000 people in the country have been infected with dengue, with Sunsari district accounting for more than half of the cases, as reported by the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division.While speaking at a recent briefing, Division Director Rudra Prasad Marasini informed that the country has recorded a total of 5,688 dengue cases since last January, with 3,486 cases reported in Sunsari district alone.

Marasini attributed the surge in infections to people’s recklessness, especially regarding sanitation, amid continuous rainfall. He emphasized that the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus species of mosquito, which cause dengue, lay eggs in clean water. The eggs then develop into larvae and eventually mature into adult mosquitoes, posing a significant threat through their bites. Media reports suggest that just a week ago, Nepal had 4,619 reported dengue cases, but the numbers escalated rapidly within a week, reaching 5,688.

Dengue is a serious health concern, and it has affected ten districts the most. Sunsari, Dhading, Kaski, Darchula, Kathmandu, Sankhuwasabha, Myagdi, Morang, Kanchanpur, and Jhapa have been hit hardest. Sunsari district, in particular, has recorded the highest number of cases at 3,486, followed by Kathmandu with 96 and Jhapa with 56 cases.

The Koshi Province is the most affected province, accounting for 3,821 dengue cases, while the Madhes Province has the lowest number, with only 26 cases reported.

Since January, four individuals have tragically lost their lives to dengue fever in Nepal.