The dengue-affected wards in Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City have launched free dengue health camps as the central emergency, dengue clinic and the dengue hospital of the BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in Dharan have not been able to cope with the rising number of dengue cases.

Dengue-affected wards 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 among others, have started conducting free health check-ups and distributing medicines free of cost.

Umesh Mehata, chief at the sub-metropolitan health division, said that the sub-metropolis has also started free health check-ups and medicine distribution for the general public at the auditorium located in Dharan ward no 8 and the office premises of the sub-metropolis.

“Ward chairs have launched free dengue health camps for the locals in their respective wards,” said Mehata, “While the city office is running a camp for the treatment and management of the infected.”

However, the search and destroy campaign to destroy the mosquito larvae and pupae responsible for the spread of dengue in Dharan, which has become the epicenter for the disease, has failed to take pace.

So far eight people have lost their lives due to dengue infection in Dharan.

Although the disease has gripped the majority of the areas in the city, the sub-metropolis and health officials do not have exact data on the number of infected people.

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.

Entomologists warn that dengue spread could surge as no serious initiatives have been taken to destroy the eggs of infected mosquitoes.

Last year, at least 88 people died and more than 54,000 were infected with the virus, which had spread to all 77 districts of the country. Dengue virus serotype DENV-1, DENV-2, and DENV-3 were found responsible for the dengue epidemic in the country.

Experts say the virus has become endemic with cases of dengue infection being reported throughout the year.

They say the reported dengue cases could be just the tip of the iceberg as around 90 percent of the infected people do not show any symptoms.

BPKIHS Hospital Deputy Director Dr Indra Limbu said that since dengue has gone out of control in Dharan, everyone should be active in the ‘search and destroy’ campaign.

“Since dengue has now become a ‘community disease’, the community itself should be mobilised for prevention and control,” said Limbu.

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 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.