To minimize potential risks, local levels and health offices have started placing awareness-raising information materials in the border areas.
What you should know
Border surveillance has been stepped up after the Nipah virus was confirmed in West Bengal, India. The Koshi State government has issued instructions to strictly implement primary screening and vigilance at the highly congested entry points of Morang, Jhapa and Ilam.
Surveillance has been increased at the Kakadbhitta checkpoints in Jhapa, Pashupatinagar in Ilam, Jogbani in Morang and Bhantabari in Sunsari, said Dr. Yaduchandra Ghimire, Secretary of the Provincial Health Ministry. He said, "Surveillance has been increased at checkpoints and hospitals to be vigilant in the beginning."
The Jhapa Health Office has kept the border health surveillance system tight in coordination with the District Administration Office. A meeting chaired by Chief District Officer Shivaram Gelal decided to increase surveillance at the Kakadbhitta and Bhadrapur checkpoints. Both of these checkpoints connect to the border with West Bengal, India.
The meeting decided to operate a temporary health desk at the checkpoint. It is said that the team deployed at the desk will measure the temperature of passengers entering from India, assess symptoms and make arrangements to refer them to safe home-isolation or the provincial hospital in Bhadrapur in case of risk.
To minimize potential risks, local levels and health offices have started placing awareness-raising information materials in the border area. Clear messages about the source of Nipah virus infection, human-to-human transmission, precautions and timely identification are being disseminated through the board.
After the infection was confirmed in North 24 Parganas of West Bengal, surveillance has been tightened in Nadia and East Burdwan districts. The West Bengal government has declared a high alert across the state after five health workers were confirmed to be infected. Indian media reported that more than a hundred citizens who came in contact with the infected person have been placed in home quarantine.
Nipah virus is considered a disease with a very high mortality rate that can be transmitted to both humans and animals. The infection can spread through fruits contaminated by bats, infected animals, especially pigs, or close contact with infected people. There is no vaccine or definitive treatment available for this disease, which has symptoms such as fever, headache, respiratory problems, and decreased level of consciousness.
No Nipah infection has been confirmed in Nepal so far. Since potential sample testing is possible only in Kathmandu, health workers say that vigilance in the border areas is the best preventive measure.
