The dengue season is here again. With the rise in temperature, cases are being reported from various parts of the country, including Kathmandu Valley, according to the Ministry of Health and Population. Presently, officials are reporting nearly two dozen cases a week. (The number of asymptomatic cases could be much higher.) Given this, health experts believe no time should be wasted in tackling the dengue menace head-on.

Recent trends have been ominous. In 2019, there were more than 16,000 reported cases, with six deaths. The year 2022 saw as many as 88 people dying and 54,000 people getting infected. Last year, with 52,000 infections, 20 persons lost their lives to the virus. Worse, hospitals in the capital were short of space to accommodate the patients.

Countries around the world are using technology to deal with the virus. Take Malaysia’s case. This Southeast Asian country has an eDengue system that gives real-time case data and mandates people to report cases. (Cases in Nepal are often swept under the rug.) The Malaysian Health Ministry’s Dengue Virus Serotype Surveillance System monitors the dominant serotypes, helping officials get ready to tackle future outbreaks caused by more severe strains. Another notable example comes from Kolkata, India, where the authorities have involved entomologists (experts on insects) to contain dengue.

Unless Nepal comes up with similar innovative ways, the virus will continue to cause great pain and hardship, year after year. Tackling dengue has become especially tricky as cases are now being reported even during winter and in mountainous districts. Still, there has been no proper research on the nature of the virus. A report by the United Nations titled “Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability” shows how climate change has disrupted the elevational distribution of Aedes mosquitoes. Yet, Nepal thus far remains clueless about dealing with the impact of a changing climate on various diseases.

In the case of dengue, there has been little effort to try to understand the virus and raise awareness programmes for people year-round, nor is enough budget set aside for such programmes. Typically, our health machinery springs into action only after a major outbreak. Experts say the virus is impossible to control once the temperature rises and rains start.

Similarly, when it comes to mosquito larvae control, ad hoc measures such as spraying Bacillus Thuringiensis Israelensis (BTI) are still the norm. But, as entomologists in Bangladesh have discovered, that is not a long-term solution. With other South Asian countries also tackling the dengue epidemic and trying out innovative ways, it would be wise for our own health authorities to work with them on research and control measures.

This problem also cannot be tackled without a high level of public involvement. People should be aware of the virus and adopt measures to keep themselves away from harm's way. Often, the simplest methods like not allowing pools of water to develop near our homes and using mosquito-repellents are also the most effective. But, as things stand, only concerted efforts from the government, local units and the general public can contain the dengue virus this year. We will underestimate the destructive power of dengue at our own peril.