KATHMANDU, AUGUST 19

According to the Ministry of Health and Population, Nepal is at risk of contracting monkeypox (Mpox), which has recently been declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO), which is the highest level of alarm under international health law.

Ministry Spokesperson Dr Prakash Budhathoki told THT that the infection is rampant in neighbouring countries, and Nepal is also vulnerable to it. 'Last year, a 60-year-old foreigner (female) was diagnosed with the Mpox virus in Nepal,' he said, adding. 'We are well-prepared to counter this deadly strain. However, if people do not adopt health protocols to prevent the risk and follow the prevention measures, our preparedness will not be effective. As a result, civic cooperation is very crucial in battling it.'

He went on to say that a recent return from the Gulf country to Pakistan was positive. Similarly, more Nepalis are in Gulf countries, so people should exercise caution when returning from Gulf countries and follow procedures such as quarantine and checkups.

'Our security forces, including the Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and other officials, are employed by the United Nations in this capacity. We also need to be cautious with this situation,' he said.

'Because Mpox is a deadly viral disease that can be transmitted through spit, light contact, and other means, we must be extremely cautious.'

The Ministry has already consulted with experts on the necessary preparations for its prevention. According to Budhathoki, health desks located near airports and border crossings, as well as federal, provincial, and local governments, have been instructed to remain vigilant for infection risks and take appropriate precautions.

The Ministry has designated hospitals and doctors in all seven provinces for the prevention and management of the infection.

Congo, an African country, has been battling Clade 1B for several days. This variant of Mpox is thought to be lethal. Since January of this year, it has killed 548 people.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a global health emergency over the spread of the virus. WHO's emergency declaration is meant to spur donor agencies and countries into action. But the global response to previous declarations has been mixed.

Mpox, also known as monkeypox, was first identified by scientists in 1958 when there were outbreaks of a 'pox-like' disease in monkeys. Until recently, most human cases were seen in people in central and west Africa who had close contact with infected animals. Unlike COVID-19 or measles, Mpox is not airborne and typically requires close, skin-to-skin contact to spread.

In 2022, the virus was confirmed to spread via sex for the first time and triggered outbreaks in more than 70 countries across the world that had not previously reported Mpox. Mpox belongs to the same family of viruses as smallpox but causes milder symptoms like fever, chills and body aches.

'People with more serious cases can develop lesions on the face, hands, chest, and genitals,' said Dr. Yadu Chandra Ghimire, Director of Epidemiology and Disease Control Division at the Ministry of Health and Population.

'Mpox spreads through direct contact with the infected person or animal, skin-to-skin contact with Mpox rash or scabs from an infected, contact with fluid and saliva from the body of an infected, clothing, towels, beddings or objects used by the infected.'

Ghimire added, fever, skin rash and bumps in between one and three days of the infection, which appear in the face, palm and feet as well, headache, muscle ache, bone ache, chills, and swollen lymph nodes are the symptoms of Mpox. It may lead to the loss of eyesight, pneumonia, brain fever, miscarriage (among pregnant women), and even death.

According to Budhathoki, the only ways to cure it are vaccines and treatments, as well as convincing people to avoid risky behaviour. 'We currently have 300 kits to address the most vulnerable populations and have requested 500 more. The WHO has said they will arrange it in a few days,' he said.