Dengue: What is the risk of this disease in the cold? How deadly is serotype 3 spreading in Nepal?

Dengue: What is the risk of this disease in the cold? How deadly is serotype 3 spreading in Nepal?

The number of dengue patients started to rise in Nepal since last July. According to government data, infections have increased sharply since mid-August. A month later, the disease began to take the form of an outbreak.

Even when the situation was at its peak, no tests were done to determine which serotype of dengue was spreading.

This week, Dharan-based VP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences collected samples from 12 dengue patients and tested them. Under the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, Head of Insect Diseases Dr. According to Gokarna Dahal, serotype one was confirmed in seven samples and serotype three in five samples.

"Two types of infection were observed in a small sample. But testing of more samples is needed to prove that these two serotypes are prevalent nationwide," he said.

Dr. According to Dahal, samples from various hospitals of all seven provinces during the peak of the dengue outbreak have been collected and brought to the National Public Health Laboratory.

"After those samples are studied, it is confirmed which serotype is circulating."

However, the details of dengue serotype 3 outbreak in Nepal have been published for the first time based on the tests of VP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences.

What is a serotype?

A serotype is a classification of different types or species of any microorganism.

There are four types of the disease transmitted by the bite of a mosquito infected with the dengue virus. Which are classified into serotype one, serotype two, serotype three and serotype four.

According to the World Health Organization, a person can be infected with all four types of dengue repeatedly.

It is estimated that 10 to 40 million people worldwide contract dengue each year.

It is said that 80 percent of them will have moderate or no symptoms.

Is serotype 3 seen for the first time?

Previous studies and research confirm that all four serotypes of dengue are found in Nepal.

An article published in the National Library of Medicine in 2008 noted, "Results of various clinical and laboratory tests have confirmed transmission of all four dengue serotypes in Nepal."

In 2006, research conducted with the direct involvement of the National Public Health Laboratory also concluded that there were four serotypes of dengue in Nepal at that time.

It is said that different types of serotypes were spread at the same time in places including Banke, Dang, Kathmandu, Nepalgunj. But even if all the serotypes are spread at the same time, the effect of one of them is more, says Dr. Shukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital. Sher Bahadur again.

For example, in 2019, although all types of dengue spread in Kathmandu, the impact of serotype two was more pronounced, he said.

In what situation to be more careful?

The appearance of serotype 3 is not a new thing and it is not something to be worried about, says Dr. re.

"But government or private hospitals should have collected the samples of the patients who came to them for testing and tested which serotype it is. That will help to be vigilant," he said.

According to him, any year may see a different serotype of dengue than what was seen before. He said that people who have been infected before will be severely affected if they are infected with a different dengue serotype.

He said, "In such a situation, the possibility of going to the hospital increases. When there is an outbreak, the pressure in the hospital and the risk of death also increases. Even if it is for the preparation to prevent such a situation, a serotype test should be done."

Does dengue not spread in the cold?

Experts estimate that even though the mosquitoes will decrease with the onset of winter, it will not be completely for a few more weeks. Even though this epidemic is coming down from its peak, it will take time for the infection to become zero. repeat.

He says, "It does not mean that mosquitoes will not come and dengue will disappear when the cold season starts. After Dashaintihar, people who come to Kathmandu from summer places often see this disease. This is the experience of the past."

Similarly, in the conclusion of a research called Epidemiology of Dengue Virus Infection in Nepal, 2006-2019, it is also written, "The scope of dengue infection in Nepal has increased and it is rising from the lower parts of the country to the upper parts."

Researcher of Nepal Health Research Council Dr. According to Vishnu Marasini, in the research conducted by the council after the dengue outbreak of 2019, mosquitoes that transmit the dengue virus were found in the Himalayas.

Also, dengue was confirmed among people from upper regions like Dolakha.

"They did not show any symptoms, but the blood test showed dengue virus infection. Based on these facts, we assessed the outbreak again," Marasini said.

What do the statistics show?

According to government data, about 42,000 people have been infected with dengue in Nepal so far this year and 49 of them have died.

But Dr. Sher Bahadur Pun says that in reality, 4-6 percent of the public may have been infected.

"Because some people have arrived in the hospital with very difficult conditions. Apart from that, those with tolerable symptoms or asymptomatic infections have not been counted," he said.

What is dengue?

400 million people worldwide get dengue every year. The virus is common in parts of Asia, South and Central America, and the Caribbean.

Dengue virus is usually transmitted by the bite of Aedes aegypti and occasionally Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. These mosquitoes also transmit yellow fever, Zika virus and chikungunya.

According to the American health agency CDC, almost half of the world's population, i.e. four billion people, live in areas at risk of dengue virus.

Infection with this virus causes fever, rashes on the body, and headaches and body aches.

Some patients may experience complex problems such as persistent abdominal pain, vomiting, swelling of the gums, bleeding from the gums, and diarrhea.

As this disease can be fatal, a doctor should be consulted in such cases.

According to the World Health Organization, with timely treatment, the mortality rate can be kept at less than one percent.

But although this disease can affect people of any age, experts suggest that children and the elderly should pay special attention as immunity is low.

What are the ways to avoid the disease?

Destroying the life cycle of mosquitoes

Do not collect or allow water to accumulate in the open

Cover with water

Wear clothing that covers most of the body

Wear as pale white as possible

Avoid mosquitoes that bite during the day

Use mosquito repellent ointment to avoid mosquito bites