KATHMANDU: In Koshi province, a total of 1,065 people have been infected with dengue over the past two years. During this period, dengue has resulted in two fatalities in Jhapa. The deceased are Bimala Dahal Paudel, 42, from Haldibari-3, and eight-year-old Alok Jung Basnet from Birtamod-4, according to Birendra Das, the dengue focal person of the health office.

Dengue fever has been spreading throughout Jhapa, with 128 new cases reported in the last two months. Among all Koshi districts, Morang has the highest number of dengue cases (532). Jhapa is in second place with 81 cases, with Dhankuta and Sunsari following with 80 and 70 cases, respectively.

There have apparently been dengue outbreaks in other districts in Koshi province. According to Surakchya Khatri, Focal Person of the Health Directorate in Dhankuta, Udayapur has recorded 69 incidents, Bhojpur 68, Sankhuwasabha 67, Okhaldhunga 29, Panchthar 21, Solukhumbu six, Ilam five, Khotang four, and Terhathum two.

Numerous places, including 22 in Damak, 7 in Haldibari, and 5 in Bhadrapur, have reported dengue cases, mainly in the Jhapa area. The pandemic has spread widely throughout multiple districts, highlighting the disease's widespread presence in the region.

The rising number of dengue cases recorded across Koshi province, particularly in Jhapa and Morang, indicates the urgent need for effective public health measures and awareness campaigns to stem the disease's spread.

As they attempt to contain the outbreak and lower the number of new infections and deaths, health officials are keeping a tight eye on the situation.