Key Takeaways:
- Nepal has increased health surveillance following reports from Russia
- Tribhuvan International Airport health desk placed on heightened alert
- WHO says no confirmed plague case has been reported in Irkutsk oblast
- Health authorities say there is no need for public panic
Nepal has placed its health surveillance system on heightened alert following reports of a suspected plague-related incident involving a laboratory worker in Russia, although health authorities say the risk to Nepal remains extremely low.
The Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD) and the Ministry of Health and Food Safety said they are closely monitoring developments in Russia's Irkutsk region and maintaining continuous disease surveillance.
Authorities have placed the health desk at Tribhuvan International Airport on high alert. Testing facilities for plague are available at the National Public Health Laboratory in Teku, while treatment services are also available within the country, officials said.
The alert follows reports that a laboratory worker at the Irkutsk Antiplague Research Institute in Russia's Irkutsk oblast died on October 2 after being hospitalised with severe pneumonia. Initial media reports suggested a possible case of pneumonic plague following alleged laboratory exposure.
However, the World Health Organization (WHO) said the cause of the severe pneumonia has not yet been established.
According to WHO, Russian health authorities stated that no case of plague had recently been registered in Irkutsk oblast. Authorities there said an epidemiological investigation had been completed, preventive and control measures had been implemented, and all identified contacts had been placed under medical observation and tested.
Russian officials further reported that no high-threat pathogens had been detected among the identified contacts and that the monitoring period had been completed.
WHO said it remains in contact with Russian authorities and has requested additional information to clarify the cause of the illness and conflicting reports surrounding the incident.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stressed the importance of timely and transparent information sharing under the International Health Regulations to allow accurate assessment of potential public health risks.
Nepal's health authorities have urged the public to rely on information issued by official health agencies and avoid spreading unverified reports.
Officials said there is currently no evidence of a plague threat in Nepal and no reason for unnecessary concern or panic.
Health authorities said surveillance measures will continue as international agencies gather further information, while Nepal remains prepared to respond should the risk assessment change.