The Ministry of Health and Population has requested all Nepalese to remain alert regarding possible spread of Nipah virus infection in the wake of surging the infection in neighbouring India, despite its low risk in Nepal.
The health facilities and agencies across the country have been cautioned as part of preparedness and Nipah virus algorithm tracking has been prepared in view of the outbreak of the virus in India, said the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD) under the Health Ministry issuing a statement on Monday.
Although the World Health Organization (WHO) has assessed low public health risk of the Nipah virus at global and at the South-East Asia regional level, the Ministry has urged people to follow precautionary measures.
The Ministry of Health is fully committed to protecting the health of citizens and is taking all necessary measures to that end, said Ministry’s spokesperson and Head of Health Emergency and Disaster Management Unit, Dr. Prakash Budhathoki. He, however, requested everyone not to panic but to remain alert, cautious, and responsible.
“Everyone should wash fruits thoroughly before eating, cook vegetables properly, and only drink pure and boiled water,” the Health Ministry said. “Health measures such as keeping animal sheds and farms clean, wearing gloves and masks while handling meat, washing hands periodically with soap and water, and wearing masks in crowded places must be followed.”
Budhathoki has urged people to immediately contact the nearest health facility or diall 1115 in case of showing any suspicious symptom.
According to doctors, consumption of fruit contaminated with the saliva, urine, or feces of bats infected with the Nipah virus can cause the infection.
The virus can also be transmitted to humans through the blood, saliva, urine, close contact with an infected person, or from pigs that have been exposed to bats, according to the Health Ministry spokesperson.
The Ministry of Health has also asked everyone to ensure strict adherence to patient identification, isolation, reporting, and infection prevention and control measures if suspicious symptoms including fever, headache, muscle pain, cough, breathing problem, dizziness, vomiting, or in severe cases, loss of consciousness appear.
