Nepal Reports Increase in Mpox Cases as WHO Declares Global Health Emergency
Nepal has witnessed a rise in Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) cases, particularly among returnees from foreign countries, following the World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration of the virus as a global health emergency on August 14, 2024. The Ministry of Health and Population has been actively monitoring the situation and is preparing to send specimens from infected individuals to the WHO collaborating center in Thailand for further analysis. The country recently confirmed its second Mpox infection in a 36-year-old man from Tanahun, who tested positive after returning from Saudi Arabia on December 19. Another male returnee, aged 44, also tested positive for the disease. Nepal’s first case of Mpox was confirmed on June 16, 2023, when a 60-year-old foreign national tested positive. Dr. Prakash Budhathoki, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population, explained that the virus is prevalent in neighboring countries, making Nepal vulnerable to the spread of Mpox. He added that the disease can be fatal, with up to one in 10 people dying from it, particularly in younger individuals. Mpox belongs to the same virus family as smallpox but generally causes milder symptoms such as fever, chills, and body aches. Severe cases can result in lesions on the face, hands, chest, and genitals. The disease spreads through direct contact with infected persons or animals, including skin-to-skin contact with the rash or scabs, bodily fluids, and contaminated clothing or bedding. Vaccines and treatments are currently the most effective means of preventing and managing the disease, while avoiding risky behaviors is crucial.
Mpox, a rare disease caused by the Mpox virus, was first identified in 1958 during outbreaks in monkeys. Initially, human cases were mostly limited to Central and West Africa, where the virus was spread through close contact with infected animals. In 2022, Mpox began spreading among humans through sexual contact, leading to outbreaks in over 70 countries worldwide.
Dr. Yadu Chandra Ghimire, Director of the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division at the Ministry of Health, explained that Mpox symptoms include fever, skin rash, and bumps within one to three days of infection, usually on the face, palms, and feet. Other symptoms include headaches, muscle aches, bone aches, chills, and swollen lymph nodes. In severe cases, Mpox can cause vision loss, pneumonia, brain fever, miscarriage in pregnant women, or even death.
As more Nepalis work in Gulf countries, health officials urge travelers returning from these regions to be cautious, follow quarantine protocols, and undergo medical check-ups to prevent further spread. The quarantine period can last between five days and three weeks, and most people recover within two to four weeks without the need for extensive medical intervention.
