1.820.3345.33

Dengue Fever Outbreak and the current situation in Nepal

Dengue Fever, a viral infection transmitted to humans through mosquito bites, is a year-round threat in Nepal. The highest risk of Dengue is around June through September (the prime rainy season in Nepal). In recent times, Dengue has been a primary health concern in Nepal. Therefore, if you are traveling to Nepal anytime soon, you must know how to prevent mosquito bites, reducing the risk of catching Dengue Fever. 

Aedes mosquito - vector of Dengue Fever
Aedes mosquito – vector of Dengue Fever

Must know facts about Dengue Fever

  • Reports from over 100 countries have been pouring stating that over 40% of the world population is at risk.    
  • Dengue fever transmits from the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. 
  • This species is most active during the mornings and evenings. It can also be active at night in well-lit areas. 
  • Unlike stings of other mosquito species, you won’t even notice stings of these Dengue-spreading mosquitoes.
  • Dengue fever has an incubation period of 2 to 10 days. It slowly affects the infected person showing only a few symptoms like fever, nausea, and fatigue.
  • There are no medicines. Stabilizing the infected people by treating their symptoms with oral medication to blood transfusion is the only way to bring this fever under control.
  • With the proper medical attention, patients can recover from Dengue.
  • The method to detect Dengue fever clinically is by doing blood test, rapid diagnosis, and blood culture.

Symptoms of Dengue Fever

The most common symptoms of Dengue are some or all of the followings:

  • High Fever
  • Headache
  • Eye pain (typically behind the eyes)
  • Muscle, joint, or bone pain
  • Rash
  • Nausea 
  • Vomiting
  • Digestive problems

Dengue can be fatal. Thus, immediate medical attention is a must to ensure the recovery of the patient. 

Avoid Dengue; Prevent Mosquito Bite

Foreigners traveling to Nepal during this time must be cautious about Dengue Fever and take extra precautions to prevent mosquito bites. 

Here are some ways travelers can avoid mosquito bites while staying in Nepal: 

1. Use Mosquito Repellent 

Travelers should carry ad constantly use mosquito repellents. We recommend travelers to use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered insect repellents. Some common suggestions are:

  • DEET
  • Picaridin
  • Oil of lemon eucalyptus 
  • Para-menthane-diol

Natural ingredients such as citronella oil, cedar oil, geranium oil, peppermint and peppermint oil, pure oil of lemon eucalyptus, and soybean oil possess insect repellent qualities. However, it is best that you use these strictly under medical consultation only. 

You can also find suitable insect repellants using EPA’s Seach Tool

2. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants!

Traveler wearing long sleeved wears during his evening stroll, steps to prevent dengue fever/mosquito bite
Traveler wearing long sleeved wears during his evening stroll

Mosquitoes are less likely to penetrate through your clothes and bite you. Simply, not exposing your bear skin while traveling through Dengue risk area can save you from infection

3. If possible, treat your clothes and trekking gear with insect repellents.

You can apply insect repellents such as permethrin that kills/repels mosquitoes to your boots, pants, socks, tents, trekking poles, and bags. However, we recommend doing it following an expert’s supervision. You should never apply Permethrin directly to the skin. 

To avoid mishaps, you can directly purchase permethrin-treated trekking necessities. 

4. Keep mosquitoes out of your accommodation (Hotel, Lodge, and Tea Houses)

You must spend extra time picking suitable accommodation while traveling to Nepal during Dengue Outbreak. Be sure to choose a hotel/lodge/tea house with screens on windows and doors. Also, ask for a mosquito net or repellent to keep mosquitoes outside your room. 

Common mosquito repellent available even in rural areas of Nepal, steps to prevent dengue fever/mosquito bite
Common mosquito repellent available even in rural areas of Nepal

Mosquitoes can be active only at temperatures of 60o F (15o C). So once you start your trek from Lukla, the chances of encountering mosquitoes decrease. 

5. Take extra precautions while traveling with a baby.

Babies and Children are less likely to follow instructions, so you should be extra cautious while traveling with them. Like adults, dress your child in full-sleeved clothes: cover strollers and baby carriers with mosquito netting. 

Children and Babies are extra sensitive to insect repellent. Therefore, do not use products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD) on children under three years old. 

6. Some other preventive measures

Include insect repellents in your travel health kit. Choose trustable Travel and Tours Operators who can inform you of ongoing scenarios of Dengue and similar epidemics in your planned destinations. 

If you develop fever, headache or rash, immediately inform your guide and visit nearby healthcare facilities.

Himalayan Glacier ensures you a safe trip.

Himalayan Glacier has been operating in Nepal since 1992, and our team members are well aware of the ongoing travel-related concerns in Nepal. We can help you prepare for any health epidemic. We also have speedy assistance with any mishaps or difficulties that our clients might face during their stay in Nepal. So, travel without fear with Himalayan Glacier. Contact us today to start planning your lifetime adventure to Nepal, Tanzania, Bhutan, Tibet, India, Peru, Galapagos, Myanmar, Vietnam, and more. 

Leave a Reply

Planning a Trip?

We have a pool of travel experts working in this industry for more than a decade. Consult to get started.

Book a Call Back