The risk of dengue has increased in Sindhuli. Dr Sagar Devkota of the Sindhuli Hospital said that dengue cases have suddenly surged in the district in short time. According to him, three dengue infection cases are found among the people coming to the hospital for health checkup on a daily basis.He said dengue was detected in 97 persons coming to the hospital seeking medical treatment since mid-August. “The largest number of cases is from Kamalamai Municipality. Dengue is found in 74 persons in the municipality,” Dr Devkota said, adding that seven cases have been found in Dudhauli Municipality five in Golanjor Rural Municipality, four cases in Tinpatan Rural Municipality and three cases each in Marin and Ghyanglekh rural municipalities of the district.

Among them, 12 are being treated in hospital while the rest are receiving treatment at their homes as per doctor’s advice. Dr Devkota said that 10 dengue patients have been referred to other hospitals due to shortage of blood platelets. This data is of the period from July 17 to September 13. Dr Devkota said that dengue is spreading rapidly in Sindhuli district and there is no exact data on the number of patients since many cases go unreported.

Meanwhile, the Kamalamai Municipality has launched a ‘search and destroy’ campaign for destroying the mosquito larvae in a bid to prevent dengue from spreading. It has also implemented an orientation programme through the Municipality Health Division for prevention and control of dengue, said the mayor Upendra Kumar Pokhrel.