KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 3
The Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) has said that no case of Nipah virus infection has been confirmed in Nepal so far, but heightened vigilance has been adopted nationwide in view of cases reported in neighbouring countries.
Issuing a press statement on Monday, the Ministry said it has taken precautionary and preparedness measures to minimise potential risks. Hospitals and health institutions across the country have been placed on high alert, and arrangements have been made for the collection and testing of samples from suspected patients.
Although the World Health Organization (WHO) has assessed the global and South-East Asia regional public health risk of the Nipah virus as low, the Ministry's Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD) has alerted health facilities and agencies nationwide and prepared an interim Nipah virus testing algorithm as part of its preparedness efforts.
The Ministry said the Nipah virus can spread through consumption of fruits contaminated by the saliva, urine, or faeces of fruit bats, as well as through close contact with infected persons via blood, saliva, urine, or respiratory secretions. Transmission from bats to humans via pigs has also been reported.
The Ministry has urged the public to strictly follow basic public health measures, including washing fruits thoroughly before consumption, properly cooking vegetables, drinking boiled or safe water, maintaining cleanliness in animal sheds and farms, using gloves and masks while handling meat, washing hands regularly with soap and water, and wearing masks in crowded places.
Health authorities have also called for early identification, isolation, reporting, and strict infection prevention and control of patients showing suspicious symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle pain, dizziness, cough, breathing difficulty, nausea, vomiting, and, in severe cases, loss of consciousness.
The Ministry has advised anyone experiencing such symptoms to immediately contact the nearest health facility or call the health hotline 1115.
Reiterating that Nepal has not recorded any Nipah virus cases to date and that health agencies remain fully prepared, the Ministry urged the public not to panic, but to remain alert, cautious, and responsible. It also warned against misinformation, stating that the situation is being closely monitored in coordination with national and international partners, and urged the public to rely only on official information issued by the Ministry.
Spokesperson Dr Prakash Budhathoki said the Ministry remains fully committed to safeguarding public health and is prepared to take all necessary measures as required.