KATHMANDU - The government has accelerated preparations to control dengue if it emerges as an epidemic. Last year dengue outbreak claimed more that two dozen lives in various Terai districts in southern Nepal.

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According to Friday's Republica daily, the Epidemiology and Diseases Control Division (EDCD) said it has sent necessary testing equipment and reagent to district hospitals and zonal hospitals in Terai districts.

"We have sent reagents and equipment to the hospitals," Director of EDCD Dr Saroj Prasad Rajendra said. She said that the World Health Organization has assisted in providing reagents and equipment, which are used for analyzing blood samples to confirm dengue.

She also revealed that EDCD will seek necessary help from security forces to control the disease.

"We will write a formal letter to Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force seeking help," she said adding EDCD itself will apply necessary measures first to control disease.

The EDCD is also planning to organize a large scale workshop in Terai districts for raising awareness.

Dengue mosquito bites people during daytime and breeds in clean water. The rain water gathered in barrels, drums, jars, pots, buckets, flower vases, tanks and bottles can be the right place for dengue mosquito to breed.

This year, the EDCD has not recorded any dengue case so far.