20 Years Later, Nepal's Dengue Outbreaks Continue

For the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal's healthcare workers, the memories of dengue fever outbreaks are reawakened each monsoon: the country has seen large-scale dengue outbreaks in the Himalayan mountain's rainy season each year.

The first case of dengue infection in Nepal was reported in 2004. Two years later, in 2006, 32 cases were reported in Chitwan district, which qualified as the country's first indigenous outbreak.

According to reports released by Nepal's Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, the country faced its first major outbreak in 2010, with 917 cases and five deaths.

In 2022, the WHO confirmed 28,109 suspected and confirmed cases of dengue fever, including 38 confirmed deaths (CFR 0.13%), were reported from all seven provinces of Nepal, affecting all 77 districts.

In an op-ed published in the Kathmandu Post on October 26, 2024, Dr. Pun wrote, "the virus has become more complex and dangerous" over the years. But it's also hard to predict the virus's course."

To continue reading Pragya Timsina's unedited article, click here.

In 2024, the U.S. CDC reported that the countries listed in the WHO Western Pacific Region report higher-than-usual dengue cases, and travelers visiting these countries may be at increased risk.

Nepal's government data reveals that 96,305 persons visited the high-altitude mountain country in September 2024, compared with about 72,000 the previous month. Based on the information available for this dengue outbreak, the WHO does not recommend that any general travel or trade restrictions be applied to Nepal.

As of November 30, 2024, the CDC and the WHO say dengue outbreaks remain a global health threat.