Health Ministry urges to remain alert of Nipah virus infection despite low risk

Kathmandu, Feb 2: The Ministry of Health and Population has urged one and all to remain alert of Nipah virus infection spreading in neighbouring India, despite its low risk in Nepal. 

Issuing a release today, the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD) under the Ministry said 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. 

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 adopt precautionary measures. 

Ministry's spokesperson and Head of Health Emergency and Disaster Management Unit, Dr. Prakash Budhathoki, shared that the Ministry of Health is fully committed to protecting the health of citizens and is taking all necessary measures to that end. He 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. 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.” 

He urged people to immediately contact the nearest health facility or call 1115 if any suspicious symptoms appear. 

According to doctors, consumption of fruit contaminated with the saliva, urine, or feces of bats infected with the Nipah virus can cause infection. 

Dr. Budhathoki further shared that 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. 

The Ministry of Health has also urged everyone to ensure strict adherence to patient identification, isolation, reporting, and infection prevention and control measures if suspicious symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle pain, cough, breathing complications, dizziness, vomiting, or in severe cases, loss of consciousness appear.  (RSS)