Key Takeaways:

• 21,000 cholera vaccine doses rushed to flood-hit Rasuwa
• Vaccines transported by Nepal Army helicopter on Sunday morning
• Health Minister Nisha Mehta directs immediate supply of medicines, vaccines and health services
• Authorities intensify disease surveillance and deploy health workers
• Priority on safe drinking water and sanitation to curb outbreaks

KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 6 Authorities have rushed 21,000 doses of cholera vaccine to flood- and landslide-hit Rasuwa as damage to drinking-water sources and distribution systems raises the risk of waterborne diseases. The vaccines, received with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), were transported to Rasuwa by a Nepal Army helicopter on Sunday morning. Health and Food Safety Minister Nisha Mehta has directed authorities to immediately provide medicines, vaccines, health supplies and essential public health services in disaster-affected areas to reduce the risk of cholera and other waterborne diseases. Following the directive, health authorities have begun sending vaccines and medicines to affected areas, intensifying disease surveillance and deploying health workers where necessary. Officials have also been instructed to give priority to safe drinking water and sanitation, as flood damage to water sources and distribution networks has heightened the risk of disease outbreaks. Authorities said prevention, early detection and treatment of cholera and other waterborne diseases have been prioritised in the affected areas.