Alarmed at the rising rate of H5NI bird flu in Kathmandu, Nepal’s Livestock Department is preparing for serious measures to tackle the growing menace.

The Department has decided to send the samples of dead crows and chickens to Australia for genome sequencing, to confirm the occurrence of the disease and identify possible changes in the biology of the virus.

To tackle the spreading flu, the department has been holding strict surveillance to prevent the transporting of chicken from virus-hit areas to other places.

Nepal, as the World Organization of Animal Health, is liable to send samples for avian flu of H5N1 for genome sequencing, says Dr. Samjhana Kumari Shakya, Deputy Director General at the Department.

“We do not have genome sequencing facility in our laboratory. So, we are sending the samples to a laboratory in Australia,” Dr. Shakya said.

According to Shakya, over 350 crows died of H5N1 virus in recent weeks in Kathmandu alone. Samples of the dead crows examined at the Central Veterinary Laboratory confirmed the virus as the cause of deaths.

Besides, the rapid response has also recalled 100,000 chickens in various parts of the country: Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Makwanpur, Kaski, Morang, and Sunsari.

Past incidents show the intensity of avian flu in Nepal. 2013 saw thousands of chickens in Nepal across districts culled as a result of the virus outbreak.

Hope the early decisions will help the department tackle the menace on-time.

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As the latest reports say, the number of TB patients is growing by 3,500 with each passing year, throwing an immense scenario for the district health authorities in tackling the menace.

As per the data, Darchula (185), followed by Achham (183), Dadeldhura (176), Baitadi (163), Bajhang (133), Doti (112) districts reported rise in TB patients in the last fiscal year.

The Sudurpaschim Health Directorate has some shocking revelations, which show:

• Around 3200-3500 cases are reported each year in the province
• Every 174 out of 100,000 people have been infected with TB in Kailali and Kanchanpur districts in the last fiscal year
• Women and Children are more prone

While this is the situation, TB and leprosy inspector Manoj Ojha say that they are unable to control the disease, despite strict measures.

“Patients also suffer a relapse. This is the major challenge facing us in containing the disease,” says Ojha, adding that they couldn’t cure around 90 percent of the affected population.

As the reports say, public in Godawari, Basauti, Tikapur and Masuriya are among the most vulnerable to the disease spread.

Government has been offering free treatment and medicinal facilities to the affected urging them to take treatment under the direct supervision of health workers.

Currently, there are 54 TB treatment centres in seven hilly regions and 50 centres of the Kailali and Kanchanpur districts.

 “A majority of patients complain that they are unable to take medicines regularly as they have to go to the health facilities for that,” says Khemraj Joshi, a person at Seti Zonal Hospital.

Read More:

• World Polio Day 2018: Nepal, A Polio-free Nation!
• World Mental Health Day 2018: 2.2 Million Nepalis Suffer Mental Health Issues

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Uneven weather conditions have been torturing the country since few days triggering shock alerts all across for locals and pilgrims.

Let’s look at some of them:

Mansarovar Yatra
Bad weather conditions have stopped around 200 Indian pilgrims in Simikot and Humla on their Mansarovar Yatra, as the commercial flight operations remained stalled due to unsupportive weather.

This incident is coming after a similar situation in the last month that saw around 1500 Indian tourists struck at various places on their journey to Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and return.

Simikot and Humla are available only through air connectivity, and no other way is a major concern for pilgrims.

Flooding Rivers
This is one perennial problem that Nepalis have been facing over the years. Very recently, Bagmati and Lal Bakaiya Rivers have reportedly eroded their embarkments and started affecting the public and transport movement across different places of Rautahat and Sarlahi.

The floods have reportedly washed away Ropanis of land across different places of the municipalities such as Maryadapur, Tejapakad, Badarhawa Rautahat and Hajariya.

“Teams of technicians have been deployed to control erosion. However, locals are facing a shortage of required materials to control the flood,” says Chief of Water Induced Disaster and River Control Division Office, Rautahat, Raj Kumar Sriwstab.

Health, A Serious Concern
Adding to the existing concerns, floods in Bhaktapur have given rise to an outbreak of Hepatitis-E in Bhaktapur.  Overflowing of the Hanumante River as a result of incessant rains resulted in floods contaminating drinking water in the area.

Speaking about the situation, Coordinator of Clinical Research Unit at Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital Dr. Sher Bahadur Pun said some of the locals were reportedly found to be Hepatitis E positive.

“One person with Hepatitis E is enough to cause an outbreak. Usually, it doesn’t lead to long-term illness or liver damage like some other forms of hepatitis do. But Hepatitis E can be dangerous for pregnant women or anyone with the weak immune system, including the elderly or people who are ill,” adds Pun.

List not exhaustive!
Hope the governmental measures and active participation of related stakeholders will address the existing issues, creating a way for dealing with perennial problems.

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