Seroprevalence and entomological study of Dengue and Scrub Typhus in Chitwan, Kaski and Dolakha of Nepal- A Pilot Study



Technical working group which included members and experts from CDM, TU, NPHL, MoHP, Natural History Museum, and consultants in related fields were recognized and after conducting several meetings the project was finalized for ERB approval and it is in the process of data collection.


2020 onwards


Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP)


Kaski, Chitwan and Dolakha


In the last 5 years, the incidence of dengue cases has risen alarmingly. Similarly, scrub typhus outbreak has been reported from different districts after the earthquake of 2015. Global warming, unplanned urbanization, increased transportation, and lack of efficient mosquito control are presumably associated with the spread of dengue and its vector to the plain and hilly regions of this country. The major objective of the research is to assess the seroprevalence of dengue and scrub typhus and the presence of its dengue vectors in Chitwan, Kaski, and Dolakha districts of Nepal. With the changing epidemiology of Dengue virus (DENV) and scrub typhus infection in Nepal, it has become increasingly important to obtain up-to-date seroprevalence data of dengue and scrub typhus and distribution of dengue vectors to further understand the distribution and burden of DENV and scrub typhus infection.

An analytical cross-sectional study design will be applied to assess the seroprevalence of dengue and scrub typhus and the presence of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Information regarding sociodemographic factors, behavioral, and knowledge-related factors, and history of past dengue and scrub typhus illness will be obtained to assess the association of independent variables with seroprevalence and also to identify the presence of disease-causing vectors. Seroprevalence will include the detection of IgG/IgM antibodies against dengue and scrub typhus in the blood samples of the study participants.


  • To determine the seroprevalence of dengue and scrub typhus in Chitwan, Kaski, and Dolakha districts of Nepal.
  • To ascertain the presence of adult Aedes aegypti and albopictus in the Terai, mid-Hill, and Mountain regions of Nepal.
  • To access the factors associated with seropositivity of dengue and scrub typhus in Chitwan, Kaski, and Dolakha districts of Nepal.
  • To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of community people about dengue fever and its vectors aegypti and A. albopictus.

This study is expected to generate evidence regarding the recent or past infection of dengue and scrub typhus