Monsoon Rain Increases Dengue fever In Nepal
Hey there! I need to let you know about something important. So, listen up - Monsoon rains are causing a big increase in cases of dengue fever in Nepal. This disease has been causing some serious problems in Nepal's lowland areas since 2006.
You see, when the monsoon season kicks in, it creates the perfect conditions for mosquitoes to breed and spread the virus, leading to more cases of deng fever all over Nepal. This situation is part of a global trend where dengue cases have been on the rise worldwide.
In fact, government stats show that Nepal had its worst-ever dengue outbreak in 2022. Can you believe it? Over 52,790 cases were reported from all seven provinces and every single one of the 77 districts in the country got affected.
But here's the kicker - this increase in dengue fever post-monsoon rains isn't just happening in Nepal. It's a thing that's seen in many places around the world where dengue is common.
Since 2024 started, more than 10 million cases of dengue and over 5,000 deaths linked to dengue have been reported from about 80 countries. The disease has now become common in over 100 countries across Africa, Americas, Eastern Mediterranean, South East Asia, and Western Pacific regions. Places like Americas, South East Asia, and Western Pacific are really getting hit hard by it lately.
Now, let's talk about what causes this fever. It's caused by a virus carried by Aedes mosquitoes that bite humans. Stagnant water is like a breeding ground for these mosquitoes that carry the virus around. And you know what? Climate change and international travel play a role too.
Symptoms:
Symptoms start showing up more when it gets close to monsoon season - pay attention! From mild flu-like symptoms to severe complications that can put lives at risk. Unfortunately, there isn't a specific treatment or vaccine available yet. So what we can do right now is try our best to protect ourselves from getting infected.
Prevention and control:
How can we do that? By keeping an eye on mosquito populations around our homes - be vigilant! Use mosquito nets on windows and doors or wear clothes with long sleeves and pants to cover up as much as possible. Don't forget mosquito repellents too!
One key step is getting rid of spots where water collects because that’s where mosquitoes love to breed - toss out broken pots, old tires, garbage cans - you get it. So let's all work together to prevent and control dengue before it spreads even further.
