A Major Dengue Epidemic In 2022 In Nepal: Need Of An Efficient Early-Warning System

Bhim Gopal Dhoubhadel, Yumiko Hayashi, Fleurette Mbuyakala Domai, Suraj Bhattarai, Koya Ariyoshi, Basu Dev Pandey
Frontiers in Tropical Diseases,
2023

As country fights #dengue in some regions, in this new publication co-authored by a GLOHMED researcher, authors suggest the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division at the Ministry of Health and Population, Nepal to use the concept of “endemic channels” as a tool for early detection of #outbreaks and trigger #alarm for potential epidemic. The alarm system guides timely outbreak response and optimal resource mobilization. Last year, dengue cases surpassed “secure zone” in March, and crossed “alarm zone” in July. Alarms could’ve been triggered for potential outbreak in March, and the epidemic could’ve been declared in early July. However, in absence of alarm systems, severe dengue cases and deaths surged until October festivals.