Kathmandu: Dengue cases have surged in Nepal, with more than 5,000 people infected across the country. The district of Sunsari accounts for over half of the total cases, reporting 3,486 dengue infections, according to the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division.

Rudra Prasad Marasini, the Division Director, attributed the increase in infections to people's recklessness, particularly in maintaining sanitation amidst continuous rainfall. The Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus species of mosquitoes, which breed in clean water, are responsible for spreading dengue. Their bites transmit the infection, making it crucial to remove puddles around houses.

Within a week, the number of dengue cases in Nepal jumped from 4,619 to 5,688, signaling a rapid escalation of the outbreak.

The ten most affected districts are Sunsari, Dhading, Kaski, Darchula, Kathmandu, Sankhuwasabha, Myagdi, Morang, Kanchanpur, and Jhapa. Apart from Sunsari, which has the highest number of cases, Kathmandu recorded 96 cases, and Jhapa reported 56.

Among the provinces, Koshi Province has been hit the hardest, with 3,821 dengue cases, while Madhes Province has the lowest number, with 26 cases.

Since January, four individuals have lost their lives due to dengue fever in Nepal. The situation requires urgent attention and proactive measures to control the spread of the disease and prevent further fatalities.