October 17: Cases of dengue infection have been reported in all 77 districts of the country, According to the Ministry of Health and Population, the mosquito-borne disease has so far claimed 48 lives across the country.    

A total of 40,029 people have been infected since the last outbreak in July, according to the ministry.

The ministry said it has expedited efforts to prevent and control dengue infection as well as to treat the infected ones.

Impact of Climate Change

With the rise in mercury level in mountainous region due to climate change, dengue cases have been detected in places where it was never reported before.    
According to the Province Health Service Directorate, Surkhet, a total of 40 dengue patients have been detected in Humla, Jumla, Mugu and Dolpa this year by the time this report was prepared.    
Dengue Control Source Person and vector control officer of the Directorate, Shyam Lal Acharya, said mountainous region is becoming favourable for lifecycle of mosquito.    
"Mosquito larva were found in Khatyang of Mugu two years ago and dengue patients were also detected. Cases of dengue has started increasing here after mountainous region is becoming favourable for life cycle of mosquito," he mentioned.    
A dengue patient was found in Humla, nine in Dolpa, eight in Mugu and 22 in Jumla this time, according to the directorate.    
Senior physician of Province Hospital, Dr KN Poudel, pointed out that climate change is the main reason behind the dengue cases in mountainous region.    
Acharya requested all to adopt precaution as dengue-carrying mosquitoes are active till mid-October. There are now 441 dengue patients in Karnali Province.  -- RSS