KATHMANDU, June 18: With the first confirmed case of monkeypox infection in the capital of Nepal on Saturday, the Ministry of the Health and Population (MoHP) has begun to make contingency plans to tackle this disease. 

In addition to designating 14 doctors in various hospitals across the country as focal persons for the treatment of monkeypox disease, the MoHP has provided hotline number 1115 and 1133 to seek consultation related to the symptoms of monkeypox.

Monkeypox is a viral infectious disease caused by the Orthopoxvirus genus of the Poxviridae family  that primarily affects animals but can be transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals or their bodily fluids, primarily rodents, or through human-to-human transmission. The disease was first identified in 1970 in monkeys, and therefore has been named ‘Monkeypox’ (Mpox). 

According to the Ministry of MoHP, a 60-year foreign national has been detected positive for monkeypox infection. The infection of the virus was confirmed after a body fluid test was conducted at the National Public Health Laboratory. 

Mpox infection, which was confirmed for the first time in Nepal, has been confirmed in 111 countries around the world in 2022-2023, according to the World Health Organization. Monkeypox outbreaks are reported mainly in Central and West African countries, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, and Cameroon. 

The symptoms of Mpox are characterized by fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle pain, headache, respiratory symptoms, and rashes on the parts of the body. The incubation period can range from 3 to 17 days, during which an infected person may not exhibit any symptoms. It causes eye infection that can lead to vision loss, pneumonia, brain fever, miscarriage and even death. 

Dr Samir Kumar Adhikari, joint spokesperson of the MoHP, said that the health ministry has made contingency plans to deal with the possible spread of Mpox. While stating that the ministry has already appointed 14 doctors as focal persons for the treatment of Mpox disease, he said that the ministry is also planning to launch an awareness campaign. 

In order to prevent infection of Mpox, MoHP has requested all concerned to keep the infected person in isolation at home or in the hospital. The caregiver of the infected person should fully follow the public health standards. If there is a risk of direct contact with the wound, MoHP directs caregiver and health professionals to wear gloves, regularly wash hands with soap and water or use a sanitizer. 

MoHP has suggested the general public to wear masks in public places, particularly when social distancing is not possible, to cover the mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing, avoid sharing utensils, cups, and personal items with others. 

Dr Adhikari also told Republica about the provision of training for the health professionals and workers to diagnose Mpox infection. He stressed on the challenges to detect the infected persons due to high mobility in the globalized world.  He mentioned that vaccination is not managed in Nepal due to detection of very few infections. But, MoHP is determined to ensure precautions and if necessary. “The ministry will provide vaccines to control the outbreak of Mpox,” he said. 

MoHP has expressed significant public health concern to promptly investigate and take appropriate measures to prevent further spread of the disease.  According to joint secretary Adhikari, the health ministry is actively working on  surveillance, contact tracing, isolation of affected individual(s), and public awareness campaigns to educate the population about the disease, its symptoms, and preventive measures and dissemination of information through official pages of MoHP and other social media including Viber.

 
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