Most of the private and community schools at Ratnanagar and Kalika municipalities in Chitwan have been closed for five days after the number of dengue infected patients increased in the district.

According to the District Public Health Office (DPHO), around 80 percent of patients are found suffering from dengue in Ratnanagar alone. Bishnu Lamichhane, the headmaster of Siddhibinayak Secondary School in Kholesimal, said there’s risk of disease in Tandi area. “Very few students are turning up for classes these days. We have closed the school from Monday to Friday after consultations with the local people,” said Lamichhane, adding that the school will be resumed after Tihar festival.

District Education Officer Govinda Aryal said the schools at Ratnanagar, Kalika, Piple and Khairahani areas have remained closed. “Parents are not willing to send their children to schools over fears of contracting the disease,” said Aryal.

The data of the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division shows at least 451 people have been found infected with dengue across the country. Out of that, 367 have tested positive for the disease in Chitwan alone. Raj Kumar KC, the vector control inspector of the DPHO, said the patients of dengue have increased in the district since mid-August.