SUNSARI, June 9 -- The number of dengue patients is on the rise in Dharan Sub-metropolis, which has declared two of its wards as crisis-hit zones after the Health Directorate of Province 1 announced a dengue emergency in the city.

As of Saturday afternoon, 281 people have been diagnosed with dengue infection. Most of the patients are from Ward 15 and 8 of the city.

Dr Bikash Sah, assistant director at the BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS), said 281 out of 852 blood samples collected for laboratory report have tested positive of dengue this year.

"Fifteen new patients were admitted at the hospital on Saturday," said Sah, adding that their test reports would confirm whether the patients have been infected with dengue.

The...