Rising Omicron XE cases in neighbouring countries increase risks in Nepal

By Mahima Devkota, Apr.22: Health Experts have warned that the rising of Omicron XE cases in neighbouring countries has increased the risk of the spread of the virus in Nepal.

According to Dr Rabindra Pandey, a public Health Expert, new cases of Coronavirus infection from the mutant variant(XE), the combination of B.A.1 and B.A.2 of Omicron variant are rising in many countries including neighbouring countries, India and China, has increased the chances of the virus to enter in Nepal.

As many as 17 deaths due to the new Omicron XE variant have been recorded in China, while cases in India have been rising.

Dr Pandey said, “While looking at the previous three waves, it is observed that after two three weeks of COVID-19 cases rising in India, cases starts to rise in Nepal too. Especially, the virus spreads in Nepal in the months of June and July, and with the open border and flow of people across borders, cases rising in India surely can be alarming to Nepal as the virus can spread between two borders with the influx of people. Therefore, tight border security, along with PCR testing and quarantine must be properly regulated to stop viruses from entering Nepal.”

He said that the XE virus has taken a toll in other countries, especially in Britain 527 people have lost their lives to the virus, which shows that virus can spread rapidly. There is a lot of to and fro of people to the Utter Pradesh state of India and as well as to bordering cities in Nepal, and currently, it shows that The R-value, an indicator of how fast the infection is spreading, in Utter Pradesh is rising, which can be alarming to Nepal as many Nepali migratory works can invite the infection in a country like in past three waves. 

As the local election is approaching, activities like conducting rallies, mass gatherings and door-to-door election campaigning are on the rise, this can create an environment for the virus to spread in communities. However, on another hand, this can also be the medium to reach out to people who are out of access to information about COVID-19 and health safety measures. 

Dr Sher Bahadur Pun, Clinical Research, has looked at the new XE variant as the third wave model.

He said, “This virus is 10 per cent more contagious than Omicron, but, while looking at its progression in other countries, it might not be deadly. However, the study is yet to be done on the matter.”

“In countries like Hong Kong and China it is observed that people who are succumbing to the virus are unvaccinated,” He said while stressing that vaccination campaigns must be intensified in the country for it is the only medium to be safe from the virus. 

“Even the weakest of variants can prove deadly to elderlies and choric patients, therefore, they must be full vaccinated and protected against the virus to decrease mortality rate,” said Dr Pun. 

Dr Samir Manxi Dixit, Public Health Expert said that even though SARS-CoV-2 has not directly hit the age group of children, but, also many children are getting viruses and some are even succumbing to viruses. "Therefore, the only effective medium to protect children is to vaccinate them." He said.