Kathmandu, April 15 -- The Epidemiology and Disease Control Division has alerted 15 local levels across the country, including the Kathmandu Metropolitan City, about the risk of a massive dengue surge after more than five cases were reported last month.

Officials say they have asked the concerned local governments to launch a dengue search and destroy drive and make people aware of the risk, amid rising temperatures and pre-monsoon rainfall.

"Multiple factors, including rising temperature, pre-monsoon rainfall, and drinking water crisis, which prompts people to hoard water in open tanks, increase the risk of dengue surge," said Dr Gokarna Dahal, chief of Vector Control Section at the division. "We have written letters to 15 local levels...