Phuentsholing General Hospital has reported of more than 100 cases of dengue fever until yesterday this month.

The hospital saw most of the cases this week. Due to increased number of patients, the hospital had to keep extra trollies outside the emergency rooms to cater to those who couldn’t avail the beds. The number of cases dropped by the end of the week.

Chief medical officer, Dr Thinley Pelzang said that preventive measure of thermal fogging started about five days ago. “We want to advise people to avoid mosquito bites,” the doctor said.

He said people should keep their surroundings clean and cover breeding sites.

Phuentsholing has consistently seen dengue fever cases in the last five years. The highest was reported in 2016 with 857 positive cases but no casualties were reported. It was the year Phuentsholing received heavy rainfall.

Dr Thinley Pelzang said dengue fever outbreak spreads more after heavy and continuous rain due to stagnant water.

“However, exact causes are unknown,” he said, adding it could also be because of the close proximity with the border areas. “There are thousands of people moving.”

Dengue fever symptoms show up three to 14 days after a mosquito bite. Mild and high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint pains, and rashes are some of the dengue symptoms.

The hospital has also reported three cases of Chikungunya virus.

“The Royal Centre for Disease Control has confirmed of it,” Dr Thinley Pelzang said.

Meanwhile, Chikungunya outbreak was also reported in Samtse. About four cases have been reported.

Rajesh Rai | Phuentsholing

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