Kathmandu, Sept. 22 -- The Epidemiology and Disease Control Division has alerted health workers serving at the health desks set up at international border crossings and other places about the risk of looming malaria and dengue outbreaks.

Officials say that thousands of migrant workers return home from India during Dashain and Tihar festivals, and some of them could also import malaria unknowingly. The 15-day Dashain, Nepal's biggest festival, began Monday.

Similarly, as the post-monsoon season, which is a peak dengue season, is set to start, the risk of dengue increases.

"We are already struggling to contain the spread of malaria and dengue," said Dr Chandra Bhal Jha, director at the division. "Many Nepalis work as migrant workers in I...