Baitadi. Dengue infection is increasing in Baitadi. In the past three months, 18 people have been confirmed infected with dengue in the district, said Jayasingh Badal, lab technician at the Health Office, Baitadi.

As per the data provided by the District Health Office, eight people from Melauli Municipality, six from Dasharathchand Municipality, three from Purchaudi Municipality and one from Patan Municipality tested positive for dengue. No dengue patients have been reported in other local levels of the district. Last year, dengue infection was confirmed in 106 people in the district.

Currently, a campaign to search and destroy mosquito larvae is being carried out throughout the district. Dengue is transmitted by the bite of a female Aedes mosquito. Health Office Baitedi chief Tirtha Raj Bhatta stressed the need to be protected from mosquito bites to be safe from dengue.

Dengue infection causes severe fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, loss of appetite among others. Apart from this, severe symptoms such as bleeding from the nose, gums and stomach are also seen.

The District Health Office has stressed that one and all should be aware of dengue test if such symptoms are seen and one should be aware of the dangers caused by taking medicines indiscriminately.