KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 2 The Ministry of Health and Population has urged the public to remain vigilant about the possible spread of the Nipah virus in neighbouring India, despite the risk being assessed as low in Nepal. In a statement issued today, the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD) under the Ministry said that health facilities and concerned agencies nationwide have been alerted as part of preparedness measures. It added that a Nipah virus surveillance and response algorithm has been developed in light of the outbreak reported in India. Although the World Health Organization (WHO) has assessed the public health risk of the Nipah virus as low at both the global and South-East Asia regional levels, the Ministry has encouraged people to strictly follow precautionary measures. Ministry spokesperson and Head of the Health Emergency and Disaster Management Unit, Dr. Prakash Budhathoki, said the Ministry of Health is fully committed to safeguarding public health and is taking all necessary steps to that end. He urged the public not to panic, but to remain alert, cautious, and responsible. 'People should wash fruits thoroughly before consumption, cook vegetables properly, and drink only safe and boiled water. Preventive practices such as maintaining cleanliness in animal sheds and farms, wearing gloves and masks while handling meat, washing hands regularly with soap and water, and wearing masks in crowded places must be strictly followed,' he said. He also advised individuals to immediately visit the nearest health facility or call the toll-free number 1115 if any suspicious symptoms appear. According to medical experts, consuming fruits contaminated with the saliva, urine, or faeces of bats infected with the Nipah virus can lead to infection. Dr. Budhathoki further noted that the virus can also be transmitted to humans through contact with infected blood, saliva, urine, close contact with an infected person, or through pigs that have been exposed to infected bats. The Ministry has also urged strict adherence to patient identification, isolation, reporting, and infection prevention and control protocols if symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle pain, cough, breathing difficulties, dizziness, vomiting, or, in severe cases, loss of consciousness are observed. (With inputs from Rastriya Samachar Samiti)