Dengue in Children of Nepal: A Call for Urgent Action

Dengue is the most common global arboviral disease caused by dengue virus (DENV), consisting of 4 serotypes (DENV 1-4) which are commonly transmitted by the bites of infected female Aedes spp. mosquitoes (A. aegypti and A. albopictus). The total greatest burden of dengue infections lies in tropical and subtropical regions with global estimate of 390 million dengue infections and 96 million symptomatic cases annually. Children are more prone to mosquito exposure as they spend majority of their time in schools and playgrounds. Dengue has become an endemic disease and an important public issue in Nepal affecting adults as well as children. The disease has been reported in tropical, subtropical and hilly areas of the country due to climate change, growing urbanization and poor vector control measures. In endemic regions, environmental factors such as stagnant water (where mosquitoes lay their eggs), poor housing quality, lack of air conditioning, and environmental factors (temperature and humidity) increase the abundance, distribution, and risk of exposure to Aedes aegypti.