KATHMANDU: The 2,243 new cases that have been recorded recently demonstrate that the dengue outbreak in the Chitwan area has gotten worse. 6,347 persons have tested positive for the virus since July, according to the Chitwan Public Health Office.

There are 551 people from outside the district and 1,692 locals among those who are infected.

According to public health officer Bimal Pattel, Bharatpur Metropolitan City has recorded the most cases, with 730 confirmed infections.

Other municipalities in Chitwan are also affected: Madi recorded 18 cases, Ichchakamana rural municipality reported 447, Ratnanagar municipality saw 319, Khaireni municipality had 87, Kalika municipality 48, and Rapti municipality 43.

With 1,831 dengue cases recorded in Chitwan during the previous fiscal year, the outbreak has already resulted in at least two fatalities.

Due to the combination of sunny and rainy weather, which gives mosquitoes the ideal conditions to flourish, dengue infections are common between August and October.

Dinesh Rupakheti, Chief of the Public Health Office stated that dengue is spread by the bite of the female Aedes mosquito, which is active in the morning and evening, and nests in stagnant water.

Symptoms of dengue include severe headaches, body aches, joint and muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, rash, and high fever.