Kathmandu, Feb 2: The Ministry of Health and Population has urged the public to remain alert regarding possible Nipah virus infection, following reports of its spread in neighbouring India, although the risk in Nepal is currently assessed as low.
In a statement issued today, the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD) under the Ministry said health facilities and relevant agencies nationwide have been placed on alert as part of preparedness measures, and a Nipah virus surveillance and response algorithm has been developed in view of the outbreak in India.
Although the World Health Organization (WHO) has assessed the public health risk of the Nipah virus as low at both the global and South-East Asia regional levels, the Ministry has called on people to adopt precautionary measures.
Ministry spokesperson and Head of the Health Emergency and Disaster Management Unit, Dr. Prakash Budhathoki, said the Ministry is fully committed to safeguarding public health and is taking all necessary steps to that end. He urged the public not to panic but to remain vigilant, cautious and responsible.
“People should wash fruits thoroughly before consumption, cook vegetables properly, and drink only safe and boiled water. Health practices such as keeping animal sheds and farms clean, wearing gloves and masks while handling meat, washing hands regularly with soap and water, and wearing masks in crowded places should be strictly followed,” Dr. Budhathoki said.
He also advised people to immediately visit the nearest health facility or call the toll-free number 1115 if any suspicious symptoms appear.
According to medical experts, infection can occur through consumption of fruits contaminated with saliva, urine or feces of bats infected with the Nipah virus.
Dr. Budhathoki further stated that the virus can also be transmitted to humans through contact with blood, saliva or urine, close contact with an infected person, or through pigs that have been exposed to infected bats.
The Ministry has additionally urged health institutions to strictly implement patient identification, isolation, reporting, and infection prevention and control measures if symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle pain, cough, breathing difficulty, dizziness, vomiting, or, in severe cases, loss of consciousness are observed. #nepal #EDCD #nipahvirus
