url
stringlengths 75
136
| updated_date
stringdate 2025-08-18 18:32:00
2026-01-08 06:45:00
| source
stringclasses 1
value | scrapped_date
stringdate 2025-09-07 00:00:00
2026-01-08 00:00:00
| title
stringlengths 31
92
| author
stringclasses 10
values | published_date
stringdate 2025-08-18 00:00:00
2026-01-08 00:00:00
| published_location
stringclasses 9
values | news_content
stringlengths 1.03k
9.3k
| main_topic
stringlengths 3
69
| sub_topic
stringlengths 8
68
| keywords
stringlengths 57
229
| sentiment_score
float64 -0.85
0.9
| sentiment_label
stringclasses 3
values | diseases
stringlengths 2
283
| hospitals
stringlengths 2
218
| organizations
stringlengths 2
314
| persons
stringlengths 2
174
| locations
stringlengths 9
362
⌀ | medicines
stringlengths 2
132
| policies
stringlengths 2
143
| article_length
float64 1.03k
9.3k
| diseases_count
float64 0
283
| persons_count
float64 0
134
| organizations_count
float64 0
264
| locations_count
float64 1
27
⌀ | policies_count
float64 0
111
| medicines_count
float64 0
113
| hospitals_count
float64 0
218
| organizations_sentiment_label
stringlengths 2
412
| persons_sentiment_label
stringlengths 2
294
⌀ | policies_sentiment_label
stringlengths 2
198
⌀ | hospitals_sentiment_label
stringlengths 2
698
⌀ | organizations_sentiment_score
stringlengths 2
356
| persons_sentiment_score
stringlengths 2
220
⌀ | policies_sentiment_score
stringlengths 2
173
⌀ | hospitals_sentiment_score
stringlengths 2
578
⌀ | disease_type
stringclasses 7
values | treatment_addressed
stringlengths 2
403
⌀ | affected_locations
stringlengths 2
333
| affected_locations_count
float64 0
257
| location_wise_diseases
stringlengths 2
1.78k
| affected_districts
stringclasses 5
values | affected_districts_count
null |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
https://kathmandupost.com/health/2025/09/05/miscarriage-grief-gets-no-support-at-home-or-hospital
|
2025-09-06 07:04:00
|
kathmandu_post
|
2025-09-07
|
Nepali women who miscarry get no support at home or hospital
|
Aarati Ray
|
2025-09-05
|
Kathmandu
|
Kriti, 33, from Suryabinayak, Bhaktapur, had always wanted a daughter. When her son turned five, she and her husband decided to try for a second child. In March 2021, she became pregnant. “We were overjoyed for the new little one to join the family,” she recalls.
But, just 10 weeks later, she miscarried at home. “I was in so much pain, sitting in the bathroom, bleeding, and with every drop, I felt my baby’s life slipping away.”
Later, when she went for a check-up at Civil Hospital in New Baneshwar, a gynaecologist brushed off her grief. “You still have a son, right? So what’s there to worry about? There’s no issue with the uterus; in a few weeks, you can conceive again.”
Kriti, who the Post is identifying with a pseudonym for privacy, was told by everyone to ‘try again,’ and had her loss treated as if it didn’t matter. “From my in-laws and relatives to doctors, nobody seemed to understand. I wasn’t even allowed to cry or mourn properly. Everyone said I could conceive again soon. But what about the child I lost?”
Stories like Kriti’s are common in Nepal, says mental health expert Bina Shrestha from Mankaa Kura, a mental healthcare platform providing online counselling. Grief tied to miscarriage or terminated pregnancy due to foetal anomaly is often invisible, pushed aside at home, ignored in families, and trivialised in hospitals.
This ‘silenced grief’ when women are denied the space to mourn openly leaves them vulnerable to lasting mental health problems, says Shrestha.
Globally, there are an estimated 23 million miscarriages annually, which means 44 pregnancy losses each minute. The Nepal Demographic and Health Survey 2022 found that 9 percent of women aged 15–49 have experienced miscarriage.
At Paropkar Maternity and Women’s Hospital in Thapathali, Kathmandu, 522 women received emergency PAC (Postabortion Care) in fiscal year 2023-24, for complications from miscarriage or unsafe abortion.
“We don’t have exact data, as many women experience them at home and only a fraction come to the hospital,” said information officer Ranu Thapa at the maternity hospital.
Following the gynaecologist’s remark that she could again conceive soon, her in-laws pressured Kriti to try for another pregnancy. She became pregnant again in September 2021.
“Everyone around me was so happy. But I couldn’t stop thinking about the baby I had lost,” adds Kriti.
She suffered sleeplessness, loneliness, and depression. Every change in her body from the new pregnancy reminded her of her loss. Whenever she tried to share, people told her she was being ‘too emotional’, so she stopped talking about it altogether.
Research backs her experience. A 2021 Lancet (international medical journal) editorial based on three research articles on miscarriage noted that the condition is too often managed in silence. It pointed out that both health systems and society treat miscarriage as something inevitable. This approach, the journal noted, creates a culture where women are told to ‘just try again,’ while the emotional impact of miscarriage is overlooked.
The result: women are left unsupported, even as miscarriage increases the risk of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and suicide.
When Kriti’s daughter was born, she struggled to bond with her. Later, she went to see a psychologist and was diagnosed with PTSD and depression.
Grief is often described in five stages: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance, a framework first introduced by Swiss American psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross.
But in the case of miscarriage, women either don’t get the space to go through these phases or must navigate these stages alone, says Parbati Shrestha, project coordinator and counsellor at TPO (Transcultural Psychosocial Organisation), a mental health organisation.
Instead of support, many face blame, she adds. Families accuse women of eating the wrong food, skipping medicine, or somehow causing the loss.
The same was the case with Sudhira (name changed for privacy), from Khariyani in Janakpur, who lost her baby at 14 weeks. After the loss, she started hearing rumours that she had caused the miscarriage by eating something wrong and not being careful.
“I wanted to talk to someone and share my experience, but I realised if I spoke, they would only blame me more,” said Sudhira.
The practice of barring women who miscarry from touching pregnant women or newborns in her village further led her to stay silent.
Now the mother of a three-year-old son, Sudhira says the memory of her lost baby still troubles her. “I haven’t been able to move on… I never got the chance to grieve properly.”
Most hospitals offer little to no mental health counselling for pregnant women, and almost none for those who experience miscarriage, say experts.
Some hospitals make referrals to a psychiatrist or a psychologist only if gynaecologists see a need.
“Although our gynaecology and obstetrics department does not have dedicated mental health counselling units,” says Jamun Prasad Singh, director at the Janakpur Provincial Hospital, “gynaecologists refer patients experiencing distress, infertility, or pregnancy loss to the psychiatry department, which has two psychiatrists and one psychologist.”
Civil Service Hospital follows the same process, according to Jitendra Pariyar, head of the department of obstetrics and gynaecology.
Yet the referral culture and active screening of women who have lost babies seem weak.
Kriti, who visited Civil Hospital for consultations, was never informed that she could see a psychologist. It was the same for Sudhira, who sought post-abortion care at Janakpur Provincial Hospital.
Psychologist Shrestha says this is common across hospitals. What hospitals call ‘counselling’ is often limited to medical advice, like when to try conceiving again after loss, rather than covering the ensuing emotional upheaval and the management process.
There are signs of change, though. Last year, Paropakar Maternity Hospital at Thapathali started a mental health unit with a psychiatrist and a psychosocial counsellor. Psychiatrist Pratistha Ghimire says the programme has offered group counselling to 170 patients, including those with early pregnancy loss or subfertility.
But for patients like Laxmi (Nani) Thapa, a lawyer and psychologist who has endured three pregnancy losses, even Paropakar Hospital feels unsafe. “Even in spaces like Paropkar meant to support solely motherhood, dignified care is largely absent,” she says.
During her third pregnancy loss, Thapa struggled to climb to the fourth floor as she was bleeding. When she tried to use the lift, a security guard pushed her out, saying it was “only for the sick.”
She recalls another incident from last year when she was five months pregnant. Unable to remove her shoes fully because of extreme back pain and swelling, she kept her feet hanging off the bed. The ultrasound staff scolded her rudely for that, saying, “Is this your maternal uncle’s house? Should we open your shoes, queen?” Then another male staff member ridiculed, “Are you even sick? What kind of patient are you?”
In government hospitals, such humiliating experiences are common for pregnant women or those experiencing loss, Thapa adds.
Thapa explains that silenced grief following pregnancy loss is widespread as hospitals and medical practices fail to recognise pregnancy or loss as a condition requiring special care. “People think, ‘Giving birth and experiencing miscarriage is normal; everyone goes through it,’” she says. “As a result, women’s grief is rarely taken seriously by society or the medical system.”
Even government policies reveal an imbalance. Shrestha from TPO points out that while paid maternity leave is guaranteed after childbirth, women who experience miscarriage get no such benefit.
A mother’s identity, psychologist Shrestha from Mankaa Kura adds, is tied so tightly to the presence of a living child that when pregnancy ends in miscarriage, her grief is disregarded. Even though miscarriage brings the same intense physical and emotional pain as labour, she gets none of the rest or support she would have if she had carried the pregnancy to term.
Shrestha stresses that gynaecologists should listen to women who have experienced miscarriage, asking about their emotional well-being instead of offering remarks like, “You can try again in two or three months.” Referrals to counsellors or psychologists are ideal, but even simple, empathetic communication can provide support.
Just as new mothers are taught about breastfeeding after delivery, women who miscarry should be guided through the grieving process and taught strategies for emotional regulation during hospital visits, adds Shrestha, program coordinator at TPO.
Experts suggest hospitals should actively screen women who have experienced miscarriage for mental health issues and refer them to the mental health department for counselling.
Kriti, who still continues therapy, says it was only in therapy that someone finally acknowledged her loss.
“For the first time, someone said, ‘I’m sorry for your loss’ instead of the usual, ‘You can try again,’” said Kriti. “If my gynaecologist had offered that kind of concern during my pregnancy visits, I don’t think my condition would have worsened.”
|
Miscarriage in Nepal
|
The Silent Grief of Miscarriage and the Need for Support
|
['miscarriage' 'Nepal' 'mental health' 'pregnancy loss' 'grief' 'support'
'counselling']
| 0.7
|
Negative
|
['miscarriage' 'anxiety' 'depression'
'post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)']
|
['Civil Hospital in New Baneshwar'
'Paropkar Maternity and Women’s Hospital in Thapathali'
'Janakpur Provincial Hospital' 'Civil Service Hospital']
|
['Mankaa Kura' 'TPO (Transcultural Psychosocial Organisation)']
|
['Kriti' 'Bina Shrestha' 'Elisabeth Kübler-Ross' 'Parbati Shrestha'
'Sudhira' 'Ranu Thapa' 'Jamun Prasad Singh' 'Jitendra Pariyar'
'Pratistha Ghimire' 'Laxmi (Nani) Thapa']
|
['Suryabinayak, Bhaktapur' 'Nepal' 'Kathmandu']
|
[]
|
['paid maternity leave']
| 9,295
| 4
| 10
| 2
| 3
| 1
| 0
| 4
|
{'Mankaa Kura': 'Positive', 'TPO (Transcultural Psychosocial Organisation)': 'Positive'}
|
{'Bina Shrestha': 'Neutral', 'Elisabeth Kübler-Ross': 'Neutral', 'Jamun Prasad Singh': 'Neutral', 'Jitendra Pariyar': 'Neutral', 'Kriti': 'Negative', 'Laxmi (Nani) Thapa': 'Negative', 'Parbati Shrestha': 'Neutral', 'Pratistha Ghimire': 'Neutral', 'Ranu Thapa': 'Neutral', 'Sudhira': 'Negative'}
|
{'paid maternity leave': 'Negative'}
|
{'Civil Hospital in New Baneshwar': 'Negative', 'Civil Service Hospital': 'Negative', 'Janakpur Provincial Hospital': 'Negative', 'Paropkar Maternity and Women’s Hospital in Thapathali': 'Neutral'}
|
{'Mankaa Kura': 0.8, 'TPO (Transcultural Psychosocial Organisation)': 0.9}
|
{'Bina Shrestha': 0, 'Elisabeth Kübler-Ross': 0, 'Jamun Prasad Singh': 0, 'Jitendra Pariyar': 0, 'Kriti': -0.8, 'Laxmi (Nani) Thapa': -0.9, 'Parbati Shrestha': 0, 'Pratistha Ghimire': 0, 'Ranu Thapa': 0, 'Sudhira': -0.7}
|
{'paid maternity leave': -0.8}
|
{'Civil Hospital in New Baneshwar': -0.8, 'Civil Service Hospital': -0.7, 'Janakpur Provincial Hospital': -0.7, 'Paropkar Maternity and Women’s Hospital in Thapathali': 0.2}
|
Both
|
{'anxiety': 'to be addressed', 'depression': 'to be addressed', 'miscarriage': 'not addressed', 'post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)': 'to be addressed'}
|
['Suryabinayak', 'Bhaktapur', 'Nepal', 'New Baneshwar', 'Thapathali', 'Kathmandu', 'Janakpur', 'Khariyani']
| 8
|
{'Bhaktapur': ['miscarriage', 'depression', 'PTSD', 'anxiety', 'suicide'], 'Dhanusha': ['miscarriage', 'depression', 'PTSD', 'anxiety', 'suicide'], 'Kathmandu': ['miscarriage', 'depression', 'PTSD', 'anxiety', 'suicide']}
| null | null |
https://kathmandupost.com/health/2025/09/04/nepali-spine-surgeon-wins-prestigious-srs-global-fellowship
|
2025-09-04 17:55:00
|
kathmandu_post
|
2025-09-07
|
Nepali spine surgeon wins prestigious SRS global fellowship
|
Post Report
|
2025-09-04
| null |
Dr Prakash Sitoula, an Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon and Professor in the Department of Orthopaedics at Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital, has been awarded the Robert B Winter Global Outreach Fellowship by the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) for 2025.
This highly prestigious and competitive international fellowship makes Dr Sitoula the first spine surgeon from Nepal to receive the honour. As part of the programme, he will undergo six weeks of advanced training in spinal deformity surgery at an SRS-accredited centre.
He has chosen Pellegrin Hospital in Bordeaux (Spine Unit 1) as his training destination, recognising its global reputation for managing spinal deformities.
“With spinal surgery still in its developmental stage in Nepal, this training will significantly enhance my ability to provide high-quality care to patients with spinal deformities in my home country,” said Dr Sitoula.
Dr. Sitoula completed his MBBS at the BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences in Dharan, Nepal, before pursuing an Orthopaedic Residency at Kathmandu University. He later undertook an advanced two-year Complex Spine Fellowship in Sydney, Australia, where he received comprehensive spine surgery training.
|
Professor Sitoula Receives Robert B Winter Global Outreach Fellowship
|
Scoliosis Research Society Recognition
|
['Robert B Winter Global Outreach Fellowship' 'Scoliosis Research Society'
'Spinal Deformity Surgery' 'Dr. Prakash Sitoula' 'Nepal']
| 0.8
|
Positive
|
['spinal deformity']
|
['Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital' 'Pellegrin Hospital']
|
['Scoliosis Research Society (SRS)' 'Kathmandu University']
|
['Dr Prakash Sitoula']
|
['Nepal' 'Bordeaux' 'Dharan' 'Sydney' 'Australia']
|
[]
|
[]
| 1,208
| 1
| 1
| 2
| 5
| 0
| 0
| 2
|
{'Kathmandu University': 'Neutral', 'Scoliosis Research Society (SRS)': 'Positive'}
|
{'Dr Prakash Sitoula': 'Positive'}
|
{'': 'Neutral'}
|
{'Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital': 'Positive', 'Pellegrin Hospital': 'Positive'}
|
{'Kathmandu University': 0.1, 'Scoliosis Research Society (SRS)': 0.8}
|
{'Dr Prakash Sitoula': 0.8}
|
{'': 0}
|
{'Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital': 0.8, 'Pellegrin Hospital': 0.7}
|
Physical
|
{'spinal deformity': 'to be addressed'}
|
['Nepal', 'Bordeaux', 'Sydney', 'Australia', 'Dharan']
| 5
|
{'Kathmandu': ['spinal deformities']}
| null | null |
https://kathmandupost.com/health/2025/09/03/task-force-hands-autism-guideline-draft-to-health-ministry
|
2025-09-03 21:41:00
|
kathmandu_post
|
2025-09-07
|
Task force hands autism guideline draft to health ministry
|
Post Report
|
2025-09-03
|
Kathmandu
|
The Autism Directive Taskforce submitted the draft of the National Autism Guideline to the Ministry of Health and Population on Monday.
The taskforce, headed by Deepak Prakash Mahara, was assigned to prepare a national framework ensuring the care, education and rights of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
The draft recognises autism as a major public health challenge and stresses multi-sectoral coordination for its management.
The document sets out a phased plan engaging all three tiers of government. At the federal level, it calls for a National Autism Committee to oversee policy, law and investment issues.
The report wants the provinces to establish resource centres to run awareness and training programmes, while local governments are expected to allocate budgets for early screening, diagnosis and therapy through female community health volunteers.
It also recommends early identification from 12 months, formal diagnosis by trained specialists, autism-friendly teaching methods for inclusive education, and lifelong support such as vocational training, job opportunities and independent living arrangements.
To ensure sustainability, the draft promotes collaboration with private and non-governmental organisations, along with financial support, health insurance coverage and disability identity cards for affected families.
Receiving the draft, Health Minister Paudel described it as a “milestone” and pledged to advance discussions at the highest levels.
He said a special autism school is being developed in Budhanilkantha in coordination with Autism Care Nepal Society, with plans to set up similar schools in all provinces. He also urged private sector involvement in autism care.
|
Autism Directive Taskforce
|
National Autism Guideline
|
['autism' 'health policy' 'education' 'rights' 'spectrum disorder'
'public health challenge' 'multi-sectoral coordination' 'awareness'
'training' 'diagnosis' 'therapy' 'inclusion' 'sustainability'
'private sector involvement']
| 0.85
|
Positive
|
['Autism Spectrum Disorder' 'ASD']
|
[]
|
['Autism Care Nepal Society']
|
['Deepak Prakash Mahara' 'Paudel']
|
['Budhanilkantha']
|
[]
|
['National Autism Guideline' 'National Autism Committee']
| 1,719
| 2
| 2
| 1
| 1
| 2
| 0
| 0
|
{'Autism Care Nepal Society': 'Positive'}
|
{'Deepak Prakash Mahara': 'Positive', 'Paudel': 'Positive'}
|
{'National Autism Committee': 'Positive', 'National Autism Guideline': 'Positive'}
|
{}
|
{'Autism Care Nepal Society': 0.8}
|
{'Deepak Prakash Mahara': 0.8, 'Paudel': 0.9}
|
{'National Autism Committee': 0.7, 'National Autism Guideline': 0.8}
|
{}
|
Mental
|
{'ASD': 'addressed', 'Autism Spectrum Disorder': 'addressed'}
|
['Nepal', 'Budhanilkantha']
| 2
|
{'Kathmandu': ['Autism Spectrum Disorder']}
| null | null |
https://kathmandupost.com/health/2025/09/03/cholera-cases-near-200-in-parsa
|
2025-09-03 19:25:00
|
kathmandu_post
|
2025-09-07
|
Cholera cases near 200 in Parsa
|
Shankar Archarya
|
2025-09-03
|
Parsa
|
Despite efforts to control the ongoing cholera outbreak in Birgunj, cases continue to rise in Parsa district, with 180 confirmed infections.
According to data released by the Birgunj Metropolitan City on Tuesday evening, 180 people have tested positive for cholera within Birgunj alone.
Of them, 11 patients are still undergoing treatment in different hospitals, while 169 have already been discharged.
Hospitals across Birgunj reported that 913 people with diarrhoeal diseases, including cholera, sought treatment by Tuesday evening.
Among them, 843 have been discharged, while 70 remain hospitalised. In addition, the number of cholera cases in Pokharia Hospital has reached 17, bringing the total for the district to 197.
Dr Uday Narayan Singh, spokesperson at Narayani Hospital, said the hospital typically treats 8-10 diarrhoeal patients daily during this season. This year, however, the numbers have surged, though free treatment continues for all patients.
Some are discharged after only an hour or two of care. Authorities are concerned about the steady rise in new cases. To prevent further spread, Birgunj Metropolitan City has closed all educational institutions for a week.
Meanwhile, tests have ruled out contamination in both tap water and deep bore water sources, leaving residents confused and anxious about the outbreak’s origin.
|
Cholera Outbreak in Birgunj
|
Rise in cases in Parsa district
|
['cholera outbreak' 'Birgunj Metropolitan City' 'Parsa district'
'diarrhoeal diseases' 'Narayani Hospital' 'contamination' 'tap water'
'deep bore water sources']
| 0.65
|
Negative
|
['cholera' 'diarrhoeal diseases']
|
['Pokharia Hospital' 'Narayani Hospital']
|
['Birgunj Metropolitan City']
|
['Dr Uday Narayan Singh']
|
['Birgunj' 'Parsa district']
|
[]
|
['closure of educational institutions for a week']
| 1,352
| 2
| 1
| 1
| 2
| 1
| 0
| 2
|
{'Birgunj Metropolitan City': 'Negative'}
|
{'Dr Uday Narayan Singh': 'Neutral'}
|
{'closure of educational institutions for a week': 'Neutral'}
|
{'Narayani Hospital': 'Neutral', 'Pokharia Hospital': 'Neutral'}
|
{'Birgunj Metropolitan City': -0.6}
|
{'Dr Uday Narayan Singh': 0}
|
{'closure of educational institutions for a week': 0}
|
{'Narayani Hospital': 0, 'Pokharia Hospital': 0}
|
Physical
|
{'cholera': 'addressed', 'diarrhoeal diseases': 'addressed'}
|
['Birgunj', 'Parsa district', 'Pokharia']
| 3
|
{'Parsa': ['cholera', 'diarrhoeal diseases']}
| null | null |
https://kathmandupost.com/health/2025/09/07/cholera-cases-stabilise-in-birgunj-rise-in-pokhariya
|
2025-09-07 15:52:00
|
kathmandu_post
|
2025-09-07
|
Cholera cases stabilise in Birgunj, rise in Pokhariya
|
Shankar Acharya
|
2025-09-07
| null |
Cholera cases in Birgunj have remained stable for over two weeks, while infections in Pokhariya are gradually increasing.
According to the District Health Office, two new patients were admitted to Pokhariya Hospital in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases there to 16. In Birgunj, however, no new cases have been reported during the same period, with the tally holding steady at 192.
With the latest figures, the total number of cholera cases in Birgunj and Pokhariya has reached 208. Of these, 198 patients have already been discharged after treatment, while 10 are still undergoing care.
Hospital records show that 1,116 people suffering from diarrhoea and cholera have been admitted to health facilities in the region so far. Among them, 1,037 have recovered and returned home. Of the 79 patients currently under treatment, five are in ICU, one in HDU, and 73 in general wards.
In the past 24 hours alone, 39 new cases of diarrhoeal diseases, including cholera, have been recorded across the district.
|
Cholera outbreak in Birgunj and Pokhariya
|
Health situation in the region
|
['Cholera' 'Birgunj' 'Pokhariya' 'Diarrhoea' 'Hospitals' 'Treatment']
| 0
|
Neutral
|
['cholera' 'diarrhoea']
|
['Pokhariya Hospital']
|
['District Health Office']
|
[]
|
['Birgunj' 'Pokhariya']
|
[]
|
[]
| 1,031
| 2
| 0
| 1
| 2
| 0
| 0
| 1
|
{'District Health Office': 'Neutral'}
|
{}
|
{'': 'Neutral'}
|
{'Pokhariya Hospital': 'Neutral'}
|
{'District Health Office': 0}
|
{}
|
{'': 0}
|
{'Pokhariya Hospital': 0}
|
Physical
|
{'cholera': 'addressed', 'diarrhoea': 'addressed'}
|
['Birgunj', 'Pokhariya']
| 2
|
{'Parsa': ['cholera', 'diarrhoea']}
| null | null |
https://kathmandupost.com/health/2025/09/03/snakebites-killed-74-people-since-mid-april
|
2025-09-03 17:58:00
|
kathmandu_post
|
2025-09-07
|
Snakebites killed 74 people since mid-April
|
Post Report
|
2025-09-03
| null |
On Tuesday night, seven people—four women and three men—were taken to the Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital for the treatment of snakebites. Doctors say most of the victims are either from the Kathmandu Valley or adjoining districts.
“Snakebite is still the number one cause of admission in our hospital,” said Dr Yuba Nidhi Basaula, director at the hospital. “Around 10 snakebite victims are currently receiving inpatient care in our hospital, and seven to eight seek emergency care every day.”
Snakebites and resulting deaths are common in Nepal, especially during summer.
Each year, around 2,700 people, mostly children and women from Nepal’s Tarai region, die of snakebites, according to a March 2022 report published in The Lancet, a leading international medical journal.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, 74 people have succumbed to snakebites since Baishakh (mid-April) this year. Experts say that official figures could be just the tip of the iceberg, as many victims do not reach health facilities.
“Some people die on the way to health facilities, and many others in their sleep,” said Dr Sanjib Kumar Sharma, rector at the Dharan-based BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, who is also a snakebite expert at the World Health Organisation. “Most victims were women and children bitten while working in fields or playing outdoors. Such people may not reach the health facility in time, so they do not appear in government records.”
Health ministry officials say that around 80 percent of snakebite victims die before reaching hospitals.
People living in thatched-roof houses are also highly vulnerable, as snakes visit such homes in search of rats. The Ministry of Health and Population provides anti-snake venom free of cost through health facilities, but still scores of people are dying every year.
Doctors say the government's responsibility does not end with ensuring availability of anti-venom in health facilities or launching awareness drives.
“Health facilities must be in accessible areas, and victims should be assured of free treatment,” said Sharma. “Critical patients require advanced life support systems. Efforts should be made to ensure a life support system for serious cases.”
While health facilities are ill-equipped and short of anti-snake venom, there is also a lack of awareness among people in rural areas who often visit faith healers instead of a physician seeking treatment for snakebite. Doctors say the conservative belief is the primary reason for many snakebite deaths.
Experts see a greater need for raising awareness about keeping homes and surroundings clean, preventing children from playing in bushes and avoiding walking at night. If absolutely necessary, people must use torchlights while walking in the dark.
Of late, highly venomous snakes, generally found in the Tarai region's tropical climate, have also started appearing in hilly and mountainous areas. Dozens of venomous snakes have been rescued from Kathmandu Valley since the start of summer this year.
Experts say global warming may be pushing venomous snakes from the Tarai into hilly and mountainous districts, where they were previously never found.
Nepal is among the world’s most vulnerable countries to the climate crisis and has witnessed multiple extreme weather events over the past decade and a half.
Evidence suggests that maximum temperatures in Nepal are rising at a faster rate of 0.056 degrees Celsius a year, compared to the global average rise of 0.03 degrees Celsius a year.
Compared to districts of the Tarai region, those in hills and mountains have been witnessing a more rapid increase in daytime maximum temperatures, which could have helped venomous snakes to survive there, according to the experts.
|
Snakebites in Nepal
|
Rising cases and deaths due to snakebites
|
['Snakebites' 'Nepal' 'Snakebite deaths' 'Health facilities' 'Awareness'
'Climate change']
| -0.85
|
Negative
|
['snakebite']
|
['Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital']
|
['The Lancet' 'National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority'
'World Health Organisation' 'Ministry of Health and Population']
|
['Dr. Yuba Nidhi Basaula' 'Dr. Sanjib Kumar Sharma']
|
['Kathmandu Valley' 'Nepal' 'Tarai region' 'Dharan'
'Koirala Institute of Health Sciences']
|
['anti-snake venom']
|
[]
| 3,795
| 1
| 2
| 4
| 5
| 0
| 1
| 1
|
{'Ministry of Health and Population': 'Neutral', 'National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority': 'Neutral', 'The Lancet': 'Neutral', 'World Health Organisation': 'Neutral'}
|
{'Dr. Sanjib Kumar Sharma': 'Neutral', 'Dr. Yuba Nidhi Basaula': 'Neutral'}
|
{'No Policy': 'Neutral'}
|
{'Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital': 'Neutral'}
|
{'Ministry of Health and Population': 0, 'National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority': 0, 'The Lancet': 0, 'World Health Organisation': 0}
|
{'Dr. Sanjib Kumar Sharma': 0, 'Dr. Yuba Nidhi Basaula': 0}
|
{'No Policy': 0}
|
{'Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital': 0}
|
Physical
|
{'snakebite': 'addressed'}
|
['Kathmandu Valley', 'Tarai region', 'Nepal']
| 3
|
{'Kathmandu': ['snakebite'], 'Sunsari': ['snakebite']}
| null | null |
https://kathmandupost.com/health/2025/09/02/maternal-perinatal-death-surveillance-to-expand-to-nine-districts
|
2025-09-02 19:37:00
|
kathmandu_post
|
2025-09-07
|
Maternal, perinatal death surveillance to expand to nine districts
|
Post Report
|
2025-09-02
|
Kathmandu
|
The causes of maternal and perinatal deaths will be investigated in nine more districts from this fiscal year, thanks to the United Nations Population Fund, which has agreed to fund the extension of the programme.
Officials hope that the investigation of the actual cause of maternal and perinatal deaths will help reduce the ongoing deaths of mothers and babies.
“Health workers will investigate if a particular death could have been prevented, or if human error was responsible for the deaths,” said Nisha Joshi, a public health officer at the Family Welfare Division under the Department of Health Services. “We requested the UNFPA for help, which it agreed to. Measures will be taken to prevent the deaths.”
Maternal and perinatal death surveillance is a key intervention for improving maternal, perinatal, and neonatal survival. Experts say such surveillance helps identify the causes of death.
The World Health Organisation said that maternal and perinatal death surveillance and response (MPDSR) is an essential quality improvement intervention, which permits the identification, notification, quantification and determination of causes and avoidability of maternal and neonatal deaths and stillbirths with the goal of orienting the measures necessary for their prevention.
According to the UN health body, systematic analyses of overall mortality trends, as well as events and contributing factors leading to individual deaths, can identify barriers in health systems and inspire local solutions to prevent such deaths in the future.
“The primary goal of MPDSR is reducing future preventable maternal mortality through a continuous action and surveillance cycle followed by the interpretation of the aggregated information on the findings, which is used for recommended actions to prevent future deaths,” says the WHO.
Nepal has committed to reducing maternal and neonatal deaths, but the MPDSR programme has not been implemented nationwide.
So far, the programme has been implemented in 54 districts. Officials say maternal and perinatal deaths are monitored only in the districts that have implemented the MPDSR programme.
In the fiscal year 2024-025, 190 maternal deaths were reported from 54 districts.
With the programme now set to be launched in nine additional districts, the number of districts with maternal and perinatal death surveillance services will reach 63.
“We will impart master trainer training to four health officials of each district,” said Joshi. “Those trained will share their knowledge with other health workers serving in the respective districts.”
Earlier, division officials had told the Post that they would not propose expanding the maternal and perinatal death surveillance programme in the new fiscal year’s budget, citing budget ceilings.
The government has allocated Rs95.81 billion for the health sector for the upcoming fiscal year—Rs9.57 billion more than the allocation for the current fiscal year and around Rs13 billion over the ceiling set during budget preparation.
Despite the increase in budget size, funds were not allocated for this programme, due to which officials had to request the UN agency.
Maternal health experts say that without the MPDSR programme, ongoing maternal and perinatal deaths cannot be effectively prevented.
Excessive bleeding after childbirth, pre-eclampsia and eclampsia (pregnancy-related high blood pressure disorders) have been identified as some of the major causes of maternal deaths in Nepal. Likewise, prematurity (neonates born at less than 37 weeks' gestation), birth asphyxia (a condition in which a baby does not receive enough oxygen before, during, or directly after birth), and sepsis (organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection) are considered major reasons for neonatal deaths.
Maternal and child health experts say unless the causes of deaths of mothers and babies are determined, it is impossible to reduce the mortality rates. This makes maternal and perinatal death surveillance extremely important, according to them.
Nepal has reduced maternal deaths by over 70 percent since 2000, according to a report by the World Health Organisation.
The UN health body, in its report, stated that currently 142 Nepali women die from maternity-related complications per 100,000 live births.
A previous study carried out by the National Statistics Office in 2021 had shown 151 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. Similarly, neonatal mortality now stands at 16.6 per 1,000 live births, and the stillbirth rate has decreased to 13.5 per 1,000 births.
The Nepal Demographic and Health Survey-2022, carried out by the Ministry of Health and Population, showed that 21 neonates die per 1,000 live births.
The health target under the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals is to reduce the maternal mortality rate to 75 for every 100,000 births by 2030.
The SDGs, which follow on from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), aim to end poverty and hunger and all forms of inequality in the world by 2030, and Nepal has committed to meeting the goals.
|
Maternal and Perinatal Deaths
|
Investigation and Prevention in Nepal
|
['Maternal deaths' 'Perinatal deaths' 'Investigation' 'Prevention' 'Nepal'
'UNFPA' 'MPDSR programme' 'Maternal health' 'Neonatal health']
| 0.83
|
Positive
|
['maternal death' 'perinatal death' 'high blood pressure disorders'
'prematurity' 'birth asphyxia' 'sepsis' 'excessive bleeding']
|
[]
|
['United Nations Population Fund' 'World Health Organisation']
|
['Nisha Joshi']
|
['Nepal']
|
[]
|
['Sustainable Development Goals' 'Millennium Development Goals']
| 5,066
| 7
| 1
| 2
| 1
| 2
| 0
| 0
|
{'United Nations Population Fund': 'Positive', 'World Health Organisation': 'Positive'}
|
{'Nisha Joshi': 'Positive'}
|
{'Millennium Development Goals': 'Neutral', 'Sustainable Development Goals': 'Positive'}
|
{}
|
{'United Nations Population Fund': 0.8, 'World Health Organisation': 0.9}
|
{'Nisha Joshi': 0.6}
|
{'Millennium Development Goals': 0.2, 'Sustainable Development Goals': 0.8}
|
{}
|
Physical
|
{'birth asphyxia': 'addressed', 'excessive bleeding': 'addressed', 'high blood pressure disorders': 'addressed', 'maternal death': 'addressed', 'perinatal death': 'addressed', 'prematurity': 'addressed', 'sepsis': 'addressed'}
|
['Nepal']
| 1
|
{
"location_by_disease": {}
}
| null | null |
https://kathmandupost.com/health/2025/09/01/suicide-toll-in-nepal-slightly-declined-in-last-fiscal-year
|
2025-09-02 06:44:00
|
kathmandu_post
|
2025-09-07
|
Cases of suicide in Nepal see a slight decline
|
Post Report
|
2025-09-01
|
Kathmandu
|
As many as 6,866 people died by suicide in Nepal in the fiscal year 2024-025, a slight decline from 7,223 in the previous fiscal year 2023-24.
According to data provided by Nepal Police, on average, 18 people are taking their lives every day.
Of the total suicide incidents in the last fiscal year, the number of adult males was higher compared to females—3,704 males and 2,308 females. However, the number of female children was more than twice that of male children, 594 and 260, respectively.
Hanging was the primary cause of suicide, 5,798, while 961 people consumed poison to end their lives.
“The curve seen in the suicide trend is encouraging, but still thousands of people are killing themselves every year,” said Dr Phanindra Baral, chief of the mental health section at the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division. “We need to do a lot to lessen the ongoing trend of suicide.”
Nepal is among the countries with the highest suicide rates.
Police data show that 6,993 people killed themselves in the fiscal year 2022-023, followed by 6,792 in the fiscal year 2021-022.
As many as 7,117 people took their own lives in the fiscal year 2020-021, during which the country witnessed the second and third wave of the Covid pandemic.
Reducing one-third of premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention, treatment and promotion of mental health and well-being is among the UN-backed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets to which Nepal is committed.
Experts say the suicide rate is an indicator of premature mortality within the SDGs, which are a follow-up to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
When the government committed to the SDGs in 2015, around 16 people took their own lives every 24 hours. The government had committed to reducing the suicide rate to 9.7 per 100,000 each year by 2022, but this number rose to 24, and last year it increased further to 25.
The government aims to reduce the suicide rate to 4.7 per 100,000 population by 2030 to meet the SDG targets, which experts say is impossible based on the ongoing trend of suicides.
Health officials concede that the country is nowhere close to achieving the SDG target on suicide. To reach the target, a multisectoral approach, initiatives and massive funding are required.
Mental health experts say people do not attempt suicide for any single reason, but rather due to a complex mix of factors, including the rising cost of living and the struggle to manage even their most basic needs such as food, housing, healthcare, and job security. Even individuals who appear healthy on the outside could also be struggling with serious mental health problems, experts say.
Whatever the cause, suicides and suicide attempts have a ripple effect, impacting not only the individual but also families, friends, colleagues, communities, and societies.
A study carried out by the Nepal Health Research Council before the start of the pandemic shows that more than 10 percent of the adult population had mental issues in their lifetime, and 4.3 percent were undergoing some form of mental crisis.
The prevalence of suicidality, including current suicidal thoughts, past suicide attempts, and a future likelihood of suicidal thoughts, was found to be prevalent in 7.2 percent of the population.
“People generally do not like to talk about mental health issues due to the social stigma and lack of awareness,” said Dr Ananta Adhikari, former director at Nepal Mental Hospital. “To tackle the growing mental health problems, authorities have to adopt multisectoral approaches.”
Meanwhile, officials at the Ministry of Health and Population said they are aware of the growing burden of mental health issues and rising suicide rate, and have been taking various measures to address the problems.
According to officials, various mental health programmes have been launched in local units, including screening for mental health problems and training for health workers, teachers, and female community health volunteers. Awareness campaigns have been launched, and health facilities have been strengthened to provide basic services for mental health problems.
“A lot of efforts have been made and various initiatives have been taken,” said Adhikari. “But despite all we have done, people are dying every hour. To prevent this, we need to do more, invest more in mental health programmes.”
The World Health Organisation says one in four people in the world are affected by mental or neurological disorders at some point in their lives, and around 450 million people currently suffer from such conditions, placing mental disorders among the leading causes of ill health and disability worldwide.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the following helplines.
Nepal Mental Hospital suicide hotline: 1166
Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital suicide prevention hotline: 9840021600:
Patan Hospital crisis helpline for suicide prevention: 9813476123
The Transcultural Psychosocial Organisation: 16600102005
|
Suicide Rates in Nepal
|
Nepal's Ongoing Struggle with High Suicide Rates
|
['Suicide Rates' 'Nepal' 'Mental Health' 'SDGs' 'Suicide Prevention'
'Mental Health Issues']
| -0.8
|
Negative
|
['suicide']
|
['Nepal Mental Hospital' 'Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital'
'Patan Hospital']
|
['Nepal Police' 'Epidemiology and Disease Control Division'
'United Nations' 'World Health Organisation'
'Transcultural Psychosocial Organisation' 'Nepal Health Research Council'
'Ministry of Health and Population']
|
['Dr Phanindra Baral' 'Dr Ananta Adhikari']
|
['Nepal']
|
[]
|
['Sustainable Development Goals' 'Millennium Development Goals']
| 5,015
| 1
| 2
| 7
| 1
| 2
| 0
| 3
|
{'Epidemiology and Disease Control Division': 'Neutral', 'Ministry of Health and Population': 'Neutral', 'Nepal Health Research Council': 'Neutral', 'Nepal Police': 'Neutral', 'Transcultural Psychosocial Organisation': 'Neutral', 'United Nations': 'Neutral', 'World Health Organisation': 'Neutral'}
|
{'Dr Ananta Adhikari': 'Neutral', 'Dr Phanindra Baral': 'Neutral'}
|
{'Millennium Development Goals': 'Negative', 'Sustainable Development Goals': 'Negative'}
|
{'Nepal Mental Hospital': 'Neutral', 'Patan Hospital': 'Neutral', 'Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital': 'Neutral'}
|
{'Epidemiology and Disease Control Division': 0, 'Ministry of Health and Population': 0, 'Nepal Health Research Council': 0, 'Nepal Police': 0, 'Transcultural Psychosocial Organisation': 0, 'United Nations': 0, 'World Health Organisation': 0}
|
{'Dr Ananta Adhikari': 0, 'Dr Phanindra Baral': 0}
|
{'Millennium Development Goals': -0.6, 'Sustainable Development Goals': -0.7}
|
{'Nepal Mental Hospital': 0, 'Patan Hospital': 0, 'Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital': 0}
|
Mental
|
{'suicide': 'to be addressed'}
|
['Nepal']
| 1
|
{
"location_by_disease": {
"Kathmandu": ["suicide", "mental health problems", "mental disorders"],
"Lalitpur": ["suicide", "mental health problems", "mental disorders"]
}
}
| null | null |
https://kathmandupost.com/health/2025/08/31/bara-man-dies-in-birgunj-as-cholera-toll-climbs-to-four
|
2025-09-01 07:21:00
|
kathmandu_post
|
2025-09-07
|
Bara man dies in Birgunj as cholera toll climbs to four
|
Post Report
|
2025-08-31
|
Birgunj
|
A 37-year-old man from Bara district who was infected with diarrheal disease, died on Saturday, while receiving treatment at Narayani Hospital in Birgunj. With this, the number of people dying from diarrheal infection since the outbreak of cholera in Birgunj Metropolitan City some 10 days ago has reached four.
“The patient died yesterday,” said Dr Chuman Lal Das, director at the hospital. “The patient had an acute kidney injury and an intestinal infection.”
Cholera is a highly infectious disease that causes severe diarrhoea and vomiting, which can lead to dehydration and death within a few hours if left untreated. The National Public Health Laboratory has confirmed that Vibrio cholerae o1 Ogawa serotype is responsible for the outbreak.
According to the Health Office, Parsa, 821 people from various wards of the metropolis and nearby local units and districts had been hospitalised with diarrheal infections as of 10 am on Sunday.
Thirty-one newly infected patients sought treatment on Sunday morning. On Saturday, 90 infected people were hospitalised. The Health Office said that 17 seriously ill patients have been receiving intensive care, and six have been admitted to the high-dependency unit.
Health workers serving in the disease-hit areas complain of exhaustion due to continuous deployment.
“We have been exhausted due to continuous work,” said Das. “Healthworkers, including doctors, have complained of burnout.”
The health workers said that the spread of the infection has slowed but not stopped.
The metropolis has extended the shutdown of academic institutions until Tuesday.
Public health experts say the ongoing Birgunj outbreak is the largest since the Jajarkot incident in 2009. Sixteen years ago, the far-western district of Jajarkot saw a major cholera outbreak that killed several and infected hundreds.
Experts say that the outbreak of cholera exposes critical gaps in the government’s preparedness and response system, and water and sanitation conditions.
Experts are particularly alarmed by both the severity of the outbreak and the deaths it has caused.
Nepal often witnesses outbreaks of water- and food-borne diseases, including cholera, during the monsoon season as floodwaters contaminate most of the drinking water sources.
Last year, at least 95 cholera cases were confirmed in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Jajarkot, Pyuthan, Makawanpur, Rolpa, Sindhupalchok, Achham, and Rautahat districts.
Experts say poor sanitation and hygiene make the country remains highly vulnerable to waterborne diseases, including diarrhoea, dysentery, typhoid, hepatitis, and cholera, especially in the monsoon season.
They say the risk of waterborne diseases will not decrease until the country’s water and sanitation conditions improve, and people get safe drinking water. Several other factors, including storage conditions, supply pipes, and pollution of water sources, also impact the quality of water supplied to households.
“Awareness drives and health education play a vital role in containing the outbreak, and the general public must be informed about what is happening in their surroundings and what precautionary measures to take,” said Dr Baburam Marasini, former director at the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division. “Authorities must invest in improving water and sanitation conditions.”
The World Health Organisation says cholera is a global threat to public health, and a multifaceted approach is key to controlling the disease and reducing deaths.
Meanwhile, officials at the Family Welfare Division under the Department of Health Services said they have been exploring the possibility of a vaccine against cholera to contain the spread.
“We have discussed this with the representatives from the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation,” said Dr Bibek Kumar Lal, division director. “A proposal for a vaccine has not been prepared yet. We must improve water and sanitation conditions and strengthen our health system to be eligible for the vaccine.”
The Health Ministry administered cholera vaccines to people from affected areas of Kapilvastu, Rautahat, and Kathmandu a few years ago.
|
Cholera Outbreak in Birgunj
|
Health Crisis in Nepal
|
['cholera' 'Nepal' 'Birgunj' 'diarrheal disease' 'water-borne disease'
'public health crisis']
| -0.65
|
Negative
|
['diarrheal disease' 'cholera' 'intestinal infection'
'acute kidney injury' 'typhoid' 'hepatitis' 'dysentery']
|
['Narayani Hospital']
|
['Health Office' 'Health Ministry' 'Family Welfare Division'
'Department of Health Services'
'Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation'
'World Health Organisation' 'National Public Health Laboratory']
|
['Dr Chuman Lal Das' 'Dr Baburam Marasini' 'Dr Bibek Kumar Lal']
|
['Bara district' 'Birgunj' 'Birgunj Metropolitan City' 'Parsa' 'Kathmandu'
'Lalitpur' 'Jajarkot' 'Pyuthan' 'Makawanpur' 'Rolpa' 'Sindhupalchok'
'Achham' 'Rautahat']
|
['cholera vaccine']
|
[]
| 4,125
| 7
| 3
| 7
| 13
| 0
| 1
| 1
|
{'Department of Health Services': 'Neutral', 'Family Welfare Division': 'Neutral', 'Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation': 'Neutral', 'Health Ministry': 'Neutral', 'Health Office': 'Neutral', 'National Public Health Laboratory': 'Neutral', 'World Health Organisation': 'Neutral'}
|
{'Dr Baburam Marasini': 'Neutral', 'Dr Bibek Kumar Lal': 'Neutral', 'Dr Chuman Lal Das': 'Neutral'}
|
{'': 'Neutral'}
|
{'Narayani Hospital': 'Negative'}
|
{'Department of Health Services': 0, 'Family Welfare Division': 0, 'Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation': 0, 'Health Ministry': 0, 'Health Office': 0, 'National Public Health Laboratory': 0, 'World Health Organisation': 0}
|
{'Dr Baburam Marasini': 0, 'Dr Bibek Kumar Lal': 0, 'Dr Chuman Lal Das': 0}
|
{'': 0}
|
{'Narayani Hospital': -0.5}
|
Physical
|
{'acute kidney injury': 'addressed', 'cholera': 'addressed', 'diarrheal disease': 'addressed', 'dysentery': 'not addressed', 'hepatitis': 'not addressed', 'intestinal infection': 'addressed', 'typhoid': 'not addressed'}
|
['Bara district', 'Birgunj', 'Parsa', 'Jajarkot', 'Kathmandu', 'Lalitpur', 'Pyuthan', 'Makawanpur', 'Rolpa', 'Sindhupalchok', 'Achham', 'Rautahat', 'Kapilvastu', 'Birgunj Metropolitan City']
| 14
|
{'Achham': ['cholera'], 'Bara': ['diarrheal disease', 'cholera'], 'Jajarkot': ['cholera'], 'Kapilvastu': ['cholera'], 'Kathmandu': ['cholera'], 'Lalitpur': ['cholera'], 'Makwanpur': ['cholera'], 'Parsa': ['diarrheal disease'], 'Pyuthan': ['cholera'], 'Rautahat': ['cholera'], 'Rolpa': ['cholera'], 'Sindhupalchok': ['cholera']}
| null | null |
https://kathmandupost.com/health/2025/08/28/birgunj-s-cholera-spreads-to-neighbouring-areas-and-bara
|
2025-08-28 18:59:00
|
kathmandu_post
|
2025-09-07
|
Birgunj’s cholera spreads to neighbouring areas and Bara
|
Post Report
|
2025-08-28
|
Kathmandu
|
At least 13 people from Pokharia Municipality in Parsa district have tested positive for cholera, which has been spreading across various wards of the nearby Birgunj Metropolitan City and other surrounding local units.
Some diarrheal patients at the provincial hospital in Kalaiya, in the neighbouring Bara district, have also tested positive for cholera.
“Though the pace of the spread of cholera has slowed, people are still getting infected with this potentially deadly disease,” said Dr Prakash Budhathoki, spokesperson at the Ministry of Health and Population. “Relevant agencies under all three tiers of government—federal, provincial and local—are working round the clock to contain the outbreak.”
Cholera is a highly infectious disease that causes severe diarrhoea and vomiting, which can lead to dehydration and death within a few hours if left untreated. Three people have died and over 600 have been infected, as of Thursday evening. Over three dozen are receiving intensive care at various hospitals, and nearly 300 are hospitalised.
The National Public Health Laboratory has confirmed that Vibrio cholerae o1 Ogawa serotype is responsible for the outbreak.
Health workers serving in the affected areas said that the disease has spread to adjoining local units and the neighbouring Bara district.
“Containing the spread of cholera in communities is the biggest challenge for us,” said Dhani Singh, public health official at the Public Health Office, Parsa. “We have been taking all necessary control measures, but ensuring safe drinking water to the public and preventing disease transmission from infected patients remains difficult.”
Public health experts say the ongoing Birgunj outbreak is the largest since the Jajarkot incident in 2009. Sixteen years ago, the far-western district of Jajarkot saw a major cholera outbreak that killed several and infected hundreds.
Experts say that the outbreak of cholera exposes critical gaps in the government’s preparedness and response system, and water and sanitation conditions.
Experts are particularly alarmed by both the severity of the outbreak and the deaths it has caused.
Nepal often witnesses outbreaks of water- and food-borne diseases, including cholera, during the monsoon season as floodwaters contaminate most of the drinking water sources.
Last year, at least 95 cholera cases were confirmed in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Jajarkot, Pyuthan, Makawanpur, Rolpa, Sindhupalchok, Achham, and Rautahat districts.
Last year also, the outbreak was caused by Vibrio cholerae 01 Ogawa serotype, which was found in stool samples of those infected.
Experts say poor sanitation and hygiene make the country remains highly vulnerable to waterborne diseases, including diarrhoea, dysentery, typhoid, hepatitis, and cholera, especially in the monsoon season.
They say the risk of waterborne diseases will not decrease until the country’s water and sanitation conditions improve, and people get safe drinking water. Several other factors, including storage conditions, supply pipes, and pollution of water sources, also impact the quality of water supplied to households.
“Awareness drive and health education plays a vital role in containing the outbreak, and the general public must be informed about what is happening in their surroundings and precautionary measures,” said Dr Baburam Marasini, former director at the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division. “Authorities must invest in improving water and sanitation conditions.”
The World Health Organisation says cholera is a global threat to public health, and a multifaceted approach is key to controlling the disease and reducing deaths.
Meanwhile, the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division said that all necessary preventive measures have been taken to control the spread of cholera to other parts of the country.
“We have very good coordination with provincial and local health authorities,” said Dr Chandra Bhal Jha, director of the division. “Our expert team is still in the disease-hit area and guiding provincial and local health authorities. Another team comprising senior officials from the WHO will reach there tomorrow [Friday].”
Officials from the division have also discussed the need for cholera vaccination with the World Health Organisation’s Nepal representatives.
“The WHO team will assess the situation and take further decisions regarding vaccination,” said Jha. “If the spread of the disease in the community continues, we will have to administer the vaccine to the at-risk population.”
The Health Ministry administered cholera vaccines to people from affected areas of Kapilvastu, Rautahat, and Kathmandu a few years ago to contain the further spread of the disease.
|
Cholera Outbreak in Nepal
|
Birgunj Metropolitan City and surrounding areas
|
['cholera' 'Vibrio cholerae o1 Ogawa serotype' 'waterborne diseases'
'outbreak' 'Nepal' 'monsoon season' 'public health' 'prevention'
'vaccination']
| -0.6
|
Negative
|
['cholera']
|
['provincial hospital in Kalaiya']
|
['Ministry of Health and Population' 'National Public Health Laboratory'
'Public Health Office' 'Epidemiology and Disease Control Division'
'World Health Organisation' 'WHO']
|
['Prakash Budhathoki' 'Dhani Singh' 'Baburam Marasini' 'Chandra Bhal Jha']
|
['Pokharia Municipality' 'Parsa district' 'Birgunj Metropolitan City'
'Bara district' 'Kathmandu' 'Jajarkot' 'Lalitpur' 'Pyuthan' 'Makawanpur'
'Rolpa' 'Sindhupalchok' 'Achham' 'Rautahat']
|
['cholera vaccine']
|
[]
| 4,704
| 1
| 4
| 6
| 13
| 0
| 1
| 1
|
{'Epidemiology and Disease Control Division': 'Neutral', 'Ministry of Health and Population': 'Neutral', 'National Public Health Laboratory': 'Neutral', 'Public Health Office': 'Neutral', 'WHO': 'Neutral', 'World Health Organisation': 'Neutral'}
|
{'Baburam Marasini': 'Neutral', 'Chandra Bhal Jha': 'Neutral', 'Dhani Singh': 'Neutral', 'Prakash Budhathoki': 'Neutral'}
|
{'': 'Neutral'}
|
{'provincial hospital in Kalaiya': 'Neutral'}
|
{'Epidemiology and Disease Control Division': 0, 'Ministry of Health and Population': 0, 'National Public Health Laboratory': 0, 'Public Health Office': 0, 'WHO': 0, 'World Health Organisation': 0}
|
{'Baburam Marasini': 0, 'Chandra Bhal Jha': 0, 'Dhani Singh': 0, 'Prakash Budhathoki': 0}
|
{'': 0}
|
{'provincial hospital in Kalaiya': 0}
|
Physical
|
{'cholera': 'not addressed'}
|
['Pokharia Municipality', 'Parsa district', 'Birgunj Metropolitan City', 'Kalaiya', 'Bara district', 'Jajarkot', 'Kathmandu', 'Lalitpur', 'Pyuthan', 'Makawanpur', 'Rolpa', 'Sindhupalchok', 'Achham', 'Rautahat', 'Kapilvastu']
| 15
|
{'Achham': ['cholera'], 'Bara': ['cholera'], 'Jajarkot': ['cholera'], 'Kapilvastu': ['cholera'], 'Kathmandu': ['cholera'], 'Lalitpur': ['cholera'], 'Makwanpur': ['cholera'], 'Parsa': ['cholera'], 'Pyuthan': ['cholera'], 'Rautahat': ['cholera'], 'Rolpa': ['cholera'], 'Sindhupalchok': ['cholera']}
| null | null |
https://kathmandupost.com/health/2025/08/27/scrub-typhus-cases-spike-in-kathmandu
|
2025-08-27 20:56:00
|
kathmandu_post
|
2025-09-07
|
Scrub typhus cases spike in Kathmandu
|
Arjun Poudel
|
2025-08-27
|
Kathmandu
|
Of the 23 fever patients tested at Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital on Tuesday, 10 or 44 percent were diagnosed with scrub typhus.
Doctors at the hospital termed the positivity rate alarmingly high.
And what concerns them more is that a significant number of infected patients are from the Kathmandu Valley. Until a few years ago, it was believed that only those residing in rural areas or those working in grasslands or fields were at high risk.
“Positivity rate above 30 percent indicates a high transmission level, meaning there is widespread exposure to the potentially deadly disease,” said Dr Yuba Nidhi Basaula, director at the hospital. “If patients do not get timely treatment, the disease affects multiple organs and patients fall into a coma and die.
Scrub typhus, or bush typhus, is a potentially fatal infectious disease caused by the parasite Orientia tsutsugamushi, a mite-borne bacterium. It spreads to humans when bitten by infected chiggers (larval mites) found on mice.
A 12-year-old girl from Siddheshwar in ward 1 of Rainadevi Chhahara Rural Municipality, Palpa, died of scrub typhus a few days ago. The deceased was initially treated with medicines from a local pharmacy, but was later taken to the Ruru Primary Health Centre in Gulmi after her health deteriorated. The victim lost consciousness on the way and was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital.
Some patients at Sukraraj Hospital are in intensive care, while others are in general wards. Along with Sukraraj, several hospitals, including Patan Hospital and Bir Hospital, have recently reported a surge in scrub typhus cases.
“Patients from the Kathmandu Valley and referred cases visit our hospital every day,” said Dr Dilip Sharma, director Bir Hospital.
Dr Samita Panta Acharya, medical director at Patan Hospital, said five to six scrub typhus patients seek treatment daily.
“The number of scrub typhus infections has risen over the years,” said Acharya.
Scrub typhus is the second leading vector-borne disease in Nepal after dengue, which infects thousands every year and causes several deaths.
The Epidemiology and Disease Control Division reported that over 5,000 people have tested positive for scrub typhus since January.
In the fiscal year 2024-25, at least 16,597 people across the country were infected with scrub typhus. Of the total cases of infection, Lumbini province recorded 4,322 cases, the highest number in the country, followed by Sudurpaschim province (3,746 cases), Karnali (2,539), Koshi (2,119), Bagmati (1,838), Gandaki (1,725) and Madhesh province (308).
Some infected people have died, but the actual number is not known, as most health facilities lack a proper system to determine causes of death.
“People may have died from complications caused by scrub typhus, but doctors often report that patients died of multi-organ failure,” said Dr Gokarna Dahal, chief of the Vector Control Section at the division. “Due to a lack of a proper system to confirm causes of deaths, we cannot say how many deaths were caused by scrub typhus.”
The actual number may be higher, as all cases of infection do not enter government records.
Nepal saw a surge in scrub typhus cases after the 2015 earthquakes that killed nearly 9,000 persons across the country.
Three months after the quakes, the BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, alerted the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division about six children with unusual fevers and severe respiratory problems.
Serum samples were collected for subsequent tests in Kathmandu and Bangkok, which confirmed a scrub typhus outbreak. By then, four children had already died in the course of treatment. By the end of the year, 101 cases were confirmed in 16 districts, and four more people succumbed to the disease.
The outbreak escalated in 2016, when 831 cases were reported in 47 districts, and 14 people died by the end of that year.
According to the Ministry of Health and Population data, 1,026 people were infected with the disease in 2020. The number increased to 1,999 in 2021, and to more than 2,900 in 2022. In 2023, over 5,000 people were infected.
Doctors say the risk of severity and fatality can be minimised if patients are diagnosed and treated early.
Common antibiotics, such as doxycycline and azithromycin, which are on the government’s essential drugs list and distributed free to health facilities across the country, can cure the disease.
However, what is concerning is that many health workers, including doctors, lack sufficient knowledge about diagnosing scrub typhus. Many health facilities also lack reagents to carry out tests for the disease.
Doctors can diagnose the disease based on the symptoms, but the risk of misdiagnosis is high, as scrub typhus symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses.
Waiting for lab results before starting treatment can be dangerous as results may take about a week, during which time patients can fall into coma and suffer multi-organ failure.
Symptoms include high fever, headache, abdominal pain, backache, joint and muscle pain, red rash, nausea and vomiting. Patients with severe illness may develop bleeding, which could lead to organ failure. Severe cases may include respiratory distress, inflammation of brain, lungs, kidney failure and multi-organ failure. If not treated immediately, the infection can be fatal, warn doctors.
|
Scrub Typhus Outbreak
|
Rise in Cases and Fatalities in Nepal
|
['Scrub Typhus' 'Nepal' 'Outbreak' 'Fatalities' 'Infectious Disease'
'Vector-Borne Disease']
| 0.7
|
Negative
|
['scrub typhus' 'dengue' 'multi-organ failure']
|
['Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital'
'Ruru Primary Health Centre' 'Patan Hospital' 'Bir Hospital'
'BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences']
|
['Epidemiology and Disease Control Division'
'Ministry of Health and Population']
|
['Dr Yuba Nidhi Basaula' 'Dr Dilip Sharma' 'Dr Samita Panta Acharya'
'Dr Gokarna Dahal']
|
['Kathmandu Valley' 'Nepal' 'Rainadevi Chhahara Rural Municipality'
'Palpa' 'Gulmi' 'Lumbini province' 'Sudurpaschim province' 'Karnali'
'Koshi' 'Bagmati' 'Gandaki' 'Madhesh province' 'Bangkok' 'Dharan']
|
['doxycycline' 'azithromycin']
|
[]
| 5,375
| 3
| 4
| 2
| 14
| 0
| 2
| 5
|
{'Epidemiology and Disease Control Division': 'Neutral', 'Ministry of Health and Population': 'Neutral'}
|
{'Dr Dilip Sharma': 'Neutral', 'Dr Gokarna Dahal': 'Neutral', 'Dr Samita Panta Acharya': 'Neutral', 'Dr Yuba Nidhi Basaula': 'Neutral'}
|
{'No Policy': 'Neutral'}
|
{'BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences': 'Neutral', 'Bir Hospital': 'Neutral', 'Patan Hospital': 'Neutral', 'Ruru Primary Health Centre': 'Negative', 'Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital': 'Neutral'}
|
{'Epidemiology and Disease Control Division': 0, 'Ministry of Health and Population': 0}
|
{'Dr Dilip Sharma': 0, 'Dr Gokarna Dahal': 0, 'Dr Samita Panta Acharya': 0, 'Dr Yuba Nidhi Basaula': 0}
|
{'No Policy': 0}
|
{'BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences': 0, 'Bir Hospital': 0, 'Patan Hospital': 0, 'Ruru Primary Health Centre': -0.8, 'Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital': 0}
|
Physical
|
{'dengue': 'not addressed', 'multi-organ failure': 'to be addressed', 'scrub typhus': 'addressed'}
|
['Kathmandu Valley', 'Palpa', 'Gulmi', 'Lumbini province', 'Sudurpaschim province', 'Karnali', 'Koshi', 'Bagmati', 'Gandaki', 'Madhesh province', 'Nepal']
| 11
|
{'Bhaktapur': ['scrub typhus'], 'Gulmi': ['scrub typhus'], 'Kathmandu': ['scrub typhus'], 'Lalitpur': ['scrub typhus'], 'Palpa': ['scrub typhus'], 'Sunsari': ['scrub typhus']}
| null | null |
https://kathmandupost.com/health/2025/08/27/no-budget-for-je-vaccine-health-ministry-spends-millions-on-unproven-ayurvedic-tonic
|
2025-08-27 08:46:00
|
kathmandu_post
|
2025-09-07
|
No budget for JE vaccine, health ministry spends millions on unproven ayurvedic tonic
|
Post Report
|
2025-08-27
|
Kathmandu
|
At least 15 people, mostly unvaccinated, have died of infection with the Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus in the past one month. The virus is the number one killer disease spread by a vector, the Culex mosquito.
Vaccination is a proven and effective method to contain the spread of the deadly disease and resulting deaths. But Nepal’s health Authorities say they do not have funds for vaccination against the unvaxxed population.
However, they have been administering an unproven ayurvedic tonic, ‘swarnaprashana’, to children under five years of age, spending millions of rupees, out of 25 centres of all seven provinces.
A few days ago, Minister for Health and Population Pradip Paudel inaugurated the campaign to administer the tonic in Dhangadhi.
“We spend around Rs7.5 million to purchase raw materials of the swarnaprashan,” said Dr Shyam Babu Yadav, officiating director general at the Department of Ayurveda and Alternative Medicine. “Experts at the concerned health agency [Ayurveda and Alternative Medicine centre] will mix the raw materials and administer them to children once a month.”
The so-called swarnaprashana is an ancient Ayurvedic immunity-boosting formulation containing gold ash [swarna bhasma], honey, ghee, and herbal extracts. Raw materials have been purchased from two different Indian companies—gold ash from one and ghee and honey from the other. Ayurveda experts make a tonic from the mixture in the country before administering it to the children, meaning that the medicine is not registered at the Department of Drug Administration[DDA], the national regulatory body.
“It is neither a branded drug nor has it been registered at the DDA,” said an official at the Ministry of Health and Population, asking not to be named, as he feared retribution for speaking out to the media. “No scientific study on the efficacy has been carried out yet to prove that the tonic works as it is claimed.”
Officials at the DDA said they do not seek an efficacy and side effects certificate while registering ayurvedic drugs.
“We just check classical literature while registering ayurvedic drugs,” said Narayan Dhakal, director general at the department. “It is the responsibility of the Department of Ayurveda and Alternative Medicine to ensure safety and efficacy.”
When asked about an unproven tonic, Yadav, the director general of the Department of Ayurveda and Alternative Medicine, said that the tonic is a proven immunity booster that has been used for centuries.
“We have been using turmeric in our kitchen for hundreds of years, and we have not questioned its efficacy and have been eating various vegetables without questioning their efficacy,” said Yadav.
“In a rural setting, honey and ghee are given to newborn babies. The tonic we are administering to the children boosts immunity, which helps fight multiple diseases and cognitive health.”
Meanwhile, the Nepal Paediatric Society has urged the government to suspend the ongoing campaign until scientific evidence, child safety assurance, and regulatory transparency are established.
“Available scientific evidence, child safety, quality, risk assessment, and regulatory clarity remain insufficient,” reads the statement issued by the organisation of paediatric doctors.
“There is no scientific basis to claim that Swarnakalp enhances the 'immune system' in infants. Additionally, concerns include risks associated with heavy metals [gold], the absence of Drug Administration Department registration/batch-testing made public, and the lack of regulatory transparency.”
The organisation also asked the drug regulator to provide its official stance and ensure regulatory transparency before using such products.
“The government should prioritise and expand investment in proven interventions such as exclusive breastfeeding, timely immunisation, Vitamin A supplementation, zinc for diarrhoea, nutrition, and WASH [Water, Sanitation and Hygiene],” reads the statement.
The organisation has also asked parents not to give honey to infants below 12 months of age.
|
Japanese Encephalitis Outbreak
|
Nepal's Unproven Ayurvedic Tonic
|
['Japanese Encephalitis' 'Nepal' 'Ayurvedic Tonic' 'Swarnaprashana'
'Vaccination' 'Culex Mosquito' 'Health Authorities']
| 0.8
|
Negative
|
['Japanese encephalitis (JE)']
|
[]
|
['Department of Ayurveda and Alternative Medicine'
'Ministry of Health and Population'
'Department of Drug Administration (DDA)' 'Nepal Paediatric Society']
|
['Pradip Paudel' 'Shyam Babu Yadav' 'Narayan Dhakal']
|
['Nepal' 'Dhangadhi' 'India']
|
['swarnaprashana' 'Vitamin A' 'zinc']
|
[]
| 4,036
| 1
| 3
| 4
| 3
| 0
| 3
| 0
|
{'Department of Ayurveda and Alternative Medicine': 'Negative', 'Department of Drug Administration (DDA)': 'Neutral', 'Ministry of Health and Population': 'Neutral', 'Nepal Paediatric Society': 'Positive'}
|
{'Narayan Dhakal': 'Neutral', 'Pradip Paudel': 'Negative', 'Shyam Babu Yadav': 'Negative'}
|
{'Ayurvedic Tonic Policy': 'Negative', 'Vaccination Policy': 'Negative'}
|
{'hospital_name': 'None'}
|
{'Department of Ayurveda and Alternative Medicine': -0.7, 'Department of Drug Administration (DDA)': 0, 'Ministry of Health and Population': 0, 'Nepal Paediatric Society': 0.8}
|
{'Narayan Dhakal': 0.1, 'Pradip Paudel': -0.6, 'Shyam Babu Yadav': -0.7}
|
{'Ayurvedic Tonic Policy': -0.9, 'Vaccination Policy': -0.8}
|
{'hospital_name': 'None'}
|
Physical
|
{'Japanese encephalitis (JE)': 'not addressed'}
|
['Nepal', 'Dhangadhi', 'India']
| 3
|
{'Kailali': ['Japanese encephalitis']}
| null | null |
https://kathmandupost.com/health/2025/08/26/national-lab-confirms-cholera-outbreak-in-birgunj
|
2025-08-27 06:54:00
|
kathmandu_post
|
2025-09-07
|
National Public Health Laboratory confirms cholera outbreak in Birgunj
|
Arjun Poudel
|
2025-08-26
|
Kathmandu
|
Following earlier rapid diagnostic tests suggesting cholera, the National Public Health Laboratory has now officially confirmed the outbreak in Birgunj Metropolitan City.
Of the 10 stool samples of the infected patients, eight have tested positive for cholera.
“Vibrio cholera 01 Ogawa serotype has been detected in eight stool samples,” Dr Ranjan Raj Bhatta, director at the laboratory told the Post. “We have sent two samples for subculture [for further confirmation].”
At least three people died and over 300 people have been infected with cholera that has spread in 3,11,12,13, and 16 wards of the metropolis since last week. Scores of ailing patients have been admitted to intensive care units of health facilities across Parsa district.
Cholera is a highly infectious disease that causes severe diarrhoea and vomiting, which can lead to dehydration and death within a few hours if left untreated.
Public health experts say the ongoing Birgunj outbreak is the largest since the Jajarkot incident in 2009. Sixteen years ago, the far-western district of Jajarkot saw a major cholera outbreak that killed several and infected hundreds.
“This is a public health emergency,” said Dr Baburam Marasaini, a former director at the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division. “This incident exposes critical gaps in the government’s preparedness and response system, and water and sanitation conditions.”
Experts are particularly alarmed by both the severity of the outbreak and the deaths it has caused.
Health Ministry officials also blamed prolonged drought and water scarcity for the Birgunj outbreak. Experts warn that failing to address these underlying factors can exacerbate the outbreak and increase fatalities.
Public health experts say authorities must not conceal or ignore these problems, as doing so costs lives. They say awareness is vital for containing the outbreak, and the general public must be informed about what is happening in their surroundings and precautionary measures. They stress that awareness drives and health education play a crucial role in changing behaviour, which requires years of investment and continuous efforts.
Nepal often witnesses outbreaks of water- and food-borne diseases, including cholera, during the monsoon season as floodwaters contaminate most of the drinking water sources.
Last year, at least 95 cholera cases were confirmed in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Jajarkot, Pyuthan, Makawanpur, Rolpa, Sindhupalchok, Achham, and Rautahat districts.
The Vibrio cholerae 01 Ogawa serotype was confirmed in the stool samples of infected patients.
Experts say poor sanitation and hygiene make the country remains highly vulnerable to waterborne diseases, including diarrhoea, dysentery, typhoid, hepatitis, and cholera, especially in the monsoon season.
They say the risk of waterborne diseases will not decrease until the country’s water and sanitation conditions improve, and people get safe drinking water. Several other factors, including storage conditions, supply pipes, and pollution of water sources, also impact the quality of water supplied to households.
The World Health Organisation says cholera is a global threat to public health, and a multifaceted approach is key to controlling the disease and reducing deaths.
|
Cholera Outbreak
|
Public Health Emergency in Birgunj
|
['Cholera' 'Birgunj Metropolitan City' 'Vibrio cholera 01 Ogawa serotype'
'Waterborne diseases' 'Public health emergency']
| 0.8
|
Negative
|
['cholera' 'diarrhoea' 'dysentery' 'typhoid' 'hepatitis']
|
[]
|
['National Public Health Laboratory'
'Epidemiology and Disease Control Division' 'World Health Organisation'
'Health Ministry']
|
['Ranjan Raj Bhatta' 'Baburam Marasaini']
|
['Birgunj Metropolitan City' 'Parsa district' 'Jajarkot' 'Kathmandu'
'Lalitpur' 'Pyuthan' 'Makawanpur' 'Rolpa' 'Sindhupalchok' 'Achham'
'Rautahat' 'Nepal']
|
[]
|
[]
| 3,264
| 5
| 2
| 4
| 12
| 0
| 0
| 0
|
{'National Public Health Laboratory': 'Neutral', 'Epidemiology and Disease Control Division': 'Negative', 'World Health Organisation': 'Neutral', 'Health Ministry': 'Negative'}
|
{'Ranjan Raj Bhatta': 'Neutral', 'Baburam Marasaini': 'Negative'}
|
{'Public Health Emergency': 'Negative', 'Government Preparedness and Response System': 'Negative', 'Water and Sanitation Conditions': 'Negative', 'Health Education and Awareness Drives': 'Positive'}
| null |
{'National Public Health Laboratory': 0.0, 'Epidemiology and Disease Control Division': -0.5, 'World Health Organisation': 0.0, 'Health Ministry': -0.5}
|
{'Ranjan Raj Bhatta': 0.0, 'Baburam Marasaini': -0.5}
|
{'Public Health Emergency': -0.7, 'Government Preparedness and Response System': -0.6, 'Water and Sanitation Conditions': -0.5, 'Health Education and Awareness Drives': 0.5}
| null |
Physical
|
{'cholera': 'not addressed', 'diarrhoea': 'not addressed', 'dysentery': 'not addressed', 'typhoid': 'not addressed', 'hepatitis': 'not addressed'}
|
['Birgunj Metropolitan City', 'Parsa district', 'Kathmandu', 'Lalitpur', 'Jajarkot', 'Pyuthan', 'Makawanpur', 'Rolpa', 'Sindhupalchok', 'Achham', 'Rautahat']
| 11
|
{'Achham': ['cholera'], 'Jajarkot': ['cholera'], 'Kathmandu': ['cholera'], 'Lalitpur': ['cholera'], 'Makwanpur': ['cholera'], 'Parsa': ['cholera'], 'Pyuthan': ['cholera'], 'Rautahat': ['cholera'], 'Rolpa': ['cholera'], 'Sindhupalchok': ['cholera']}
| null | null |
https://kathmandupost.com/health/2025/08/25/birgunj-cholera-outbreak-largest-since-jajarkot-in-2009
|
2025-08-26 07:00:00
|
kathmandu_post
|
2025-09-07
|
Birgunj cholera outbreak largest since Jajarkot in 2009
|
Arjun Poudel & Shankar Acharya
|
2025-08-25
|
Kathmandu/birgunj
|
Seriously ailing diarrheal patients started seeking treatment at health facilities in Birgunj at the beginning of last week. Doctors attending to the patients reported the seriousness of the cases to their higher authorities and health agencies at the local, provincial, and federal levels. Rapid tests have shown cholera in most patients.
However, it took around a week for the authorities concerned to acknowledge the cholera outbreak and start taking measures to control the spread of the disease. Until then, two people had already died from the infection, and hundreds of people were infected with the potentially deadly disease, likely spread through contaminated drinking water.
“The outbreak of cholera in Birgunj and other parts of the country shows serious public health gaps,” said Dr Shyam Raj Upreti, former director general at the Department of Health Services. “We became too complacent after declaring the country open defecation free and started taking outbreaks as normal. This is not normal, as people have died and serious patients are in need of intensive care.”
Interestingly, six years ago, on September 30, 2019, the then government, which was also led by the current prime minister, KP Sharma Oli, had declared the entire country open-defecation-free amid much fanfare.
As of Monday evening, three people died, 93 tested positive for cholera and over 300 infected people sought care in various hospitals.
“All three deceased were brought dead to the hospital,” said Dr Bikash Devkota, secretary for the Ministry of Health and Population. “This shows that people are not seeking care until their condition becomes severe. Cholera cannot be treated at home. I request people in affected areas to seek hospital care immediately.”
According to local health officials, cases have been reported from wards 3, 11, 12, 13 and 16 of the Birgunj Metropolitan City.
Narayani Hospital and Terai Hospital each confirmed 32 cases, while 12 patients tested positive for cholera at National Medical College. Cases were also confirmed at Bhawani Hospital, Birgunj Health Care and Mangalam Pathology, Ali Ortho Hospital, among other local health facilities.
Cholera is a highly infectious disease that causes severe diarrhoea and vomiting, which can lead to dehydration and death within a few hours if left untreated.
Public health experts say the ongoing Birgunj outbreak is the largest since the Jajarkot incident in 2009. Sixteen years ago, the farwestern district of Jajarkot saw a major cholera outbreak that killed several and infected hundreds.
“This is a serious public health emergency,” said Dr Baburam Marasaini, a former director at the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division. “This incident exposes critical gaps in the government's preparedness and response system, and water and sanitation conditions.”
Experts are particularly alarmed that people are becoming severely ill and dying.
“We have admitted one patient in serious condition to the intensive care unit,” Dr Chuman Lal Das, director at the Narayani Hospital, told the Post over the Phone from Birgunj. “Several other seriously ill patients have been receiving intensive care at private health facilities.”
Officials say over two dozen critically ill patients are being treated in intensive care at various Birgunj hospitals.
Experts also criticise tendency to conceal outbreaks, and apathy towards improving water and sanitation, which contribute to repeated deadly outbreaks.
“Birgunj is a border area, and an outbreak of cholera there is a matter of serious concern,” said Marasini. “We have neglected water and sanitation issues and recurring diarrheal and cholera outbreaks. Outbreaks of diarrheal diseases, including cholera, are directly linked to drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene conditions.”
Health Ministry officials also blamed prolonged drought and water scarcity for the outbreak of cholera in Birgunj.
Public health experts say that authorities must not conceal or ignore these serious problems, as doing so costs lives. They say awareness is crucial for containing the outbreaks, and the general public must be informed about what is happening in their surroundings and precautions. Awareness drives and health education play a crucial role in changing behaviour, which requires years of investment and continuous efforts, they add.
Meanwhile, the National Public Health, where samples of stool from infected patients have been brought for testing, said that results of stool culture may come by Tuesday evening.
“Sometimes it takes 72 hours for results to come. We can expect them by Tuesday evening,” said Dr Ranjan Raj Bhatta, director at the laboratory.
“Sometimes rapid diagnostic tests can show false positives but not in such large numbers. Lab tests are also needed for serotyping of microbes.”
Nepal often witnesses outbreaks of water- and food-borne diseases, including cholera, during the monsoon season. Thousands of people get infected as floodwaters contaminate most of the drinking water sources.
Last year, at least 95 cholera cases were confirmed in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Kailali, Pyuthan, Makawanpur, Rolpa, Sindhupalchok, Achham, and Rautahat districts.
The Vibrio cholera 01 Ogawa serotype was confirmed in the stool samples of infected patients.
Public health experts say that due to poor sanitation and hygiene, the country remains highly vulnerable to waterborne diseases, including diarrhoea, dysentery, typhoid, hepatitis, and cholera, especially in the monsoon season.
They say the risk of waterborne diseases will not decline until the country’s water and sanitation conditions improve, and people get safe drinking water. Several other factors, including storage conditions, supply pipes, and pollution of water sources, also impact the quality of water supplied to households.
The World Health Organisation says cholera is a global threat to public health, and a multifaceted approach is key to controlling the disease and reducing deaths.
|
Cholera Outbreak
|
Public Health Emergency in Birgunj
|
['Cholera' 'Birgunj' 'Public Health' 'Waterborne Disease' 'Outbreak'
'Nepal']
| -0.8
|
Negative
|
['cholera' 'diarrhea' 'dysentery' 'typhoid' 'hepatitis']
|
['Narayani Hospital' 'Terai Hospital' 'National Medical College'
'Bhawani Hospital' 'Birgunj Health Care' 'Mangalam Pathology'
'Ali Ortho Hospital']
|
['Department of Health Services' 'Ministry of Health and Population'
'National Public Health' 'World Health Organisation']
|
['Dr Shyam Raj Upreti' 'KP Sharma Oli' 'Dr Bikash Devkota'
'Dr Baburam Marasaini' 'Dr Chuman Lal Das' 'Dr Ranjan Raj Bhatta']
|
['Birgunj' 'Jajarkot' 'Kathmandu' 'Lalitpur' 'Kailali' 'Pyuthan'
'Makawanpur' 'Rolpa' 'Sindhupalchok' 'Achham' 'Rautahat' 'Nepal']
|
[]
|
['open-defecation-free']
| 5,980
| 5
| 6
| 4
| 12
| 1
| 0
| 7
|
{'Department of Health Services': 'Negative', 'Ministry of Health and Population': 'Negative', 'National Public Health': 'Negative', 'World Health Organisation': 'Neutral'}
|
{'Dr Shyam Raj Upreti': 'Negative', 'KP Sharma Oli': 'Negative', 'Dr Bikash Devkota': 'Negative', 'Dr Baburam Marasaini': 'Negative', 'Dr Chuman Lal Das': 'Negative', 'Dr Ranjan Raj Bhatta': 'Neutral'}
|
{'open-defecation-free': 'Negative'}
|
{'Narayani Hospital': 'Negative', 'Terai Hospital': 'Negative', 'National Medical College': 'Negative', 'Bhawani Hospital': 'Negative', 'Birgunj Health Care': 'Negative', 'Mangalam Pathology': 'Negative', 'Ali Ortho Hospital': 'Negative'}
|
{'Department of Health Services': -0.6, 'Ministry of Health and Population': -0.5, 'National Public Health': -0.4, 'World Health Organisation': 0.0}
|
{'Dr Shyam Raj Upreti': -0.7, 'KP Sharma Oli': -0.6, 'Dr Bikash Devkota': -0.5, 'Dr Baburam Marasaini': -0.7, 'Dr Chuman Lal Das': -0.4, 'Dr Ranjan Raj Bhatta': 0.0}
|
{'open-defecation-free': -0.7}
|
{'Narayani Hospital': -0.6, 'Terai Hospital': -0.6, 'National Medical College': -0.5, 'Bhawani Hospital': -0.5, 'Birgunj Health Care': -0.5, 'Mangalam Pathology': -0.5, 'Ali Ortho Hospital': -0.5}
|
Physical
|
{'cholera': 'addressed', 'diarrhea': 'addressed', 'dysentery': 'not addressed', 'typhoid': 'not addressed', 'hepatitis': 'not addressed'}
|
['Birgunj', 'Kathmandu', 'Lalitpur', 'Kailali', 'Pyuthan', 'Makawanpur', 'Rolpa', 'Sindhupalchok', 'Achham', 'Rautahat', 'Jajarkot']
| 11
|
{'Achham': ['cholera'], 'Jajarkot': ['cholera'], 'Kailali': ['cholera'], 'Kathmandu': ['cholera'], 'Lalitpur': ['cholera'], 'Makwanpur': ['cholera'], 'Parsa': ['cholera', 'diarrhoea'], 'Pyuthan': ['cholera'], 'Rautahat': ['cholera'], 'Rolpa': ['cholera'], 'Sindhupalchok': ['cholera']}
| null | null |
https://kathmandupost.com/health/2025/08/24/42-test-positive-in-massive-cholera-outbreak-in-birgunj
|
2025-08-25 06:39:00
|
kathmandu_post
|
2025-09-07
|
42 test positive in massive cholera outbreak in Birgunj
|
Arjun Poudel
|
2025-08-24
|
Kathmandu
|
At least 42 people from various wards of Birgunj Metropolitan City have tested positive with Cholera, a highly infectious waterborne disease that has been spreading since last week.
Two people—a 35-year-old man, and a woman—died of diarrheal infection. Doctors say they were brought dead to the hospital.
The number of diarrheal patients admitted to various health facilities in the metropolis has exceeded 130, which indicates community spread of the disease.
“A 35-year-old man, who was said to have diarrheal infection, was brought dead to our hospital,” Dr Chuman Lal Das, medical superintendent of Narayani Hospital, told the Post over the phone from Birgunj. “But we have not tested his stool samples to establish the cause of death.”
Cholera is a highly infectious disease that causes severe diarrhoea and vomiting, which can lead to dehydration and death within a few hours if left untreated.
Das informed that the 73 patients with diarrhoea sought treatment at the hospital since Friday and the number continues to rise.
Health officials said they are awaiting test results from water and stool samples collected from the disease-hit areas, which have been brought to Kathmandu for laboratory confirmation.
Dr Das informed that E coli has already been detected in water samples collected from affected areas, which were tested on Saturday.
“We have sent samples of drinking water for laboratory further confirmation and are still awaiting stool culture results from patients” said Das. “Contaminated water could have triggered the diarrhoeal outbreak.”
Nepal often witnesses outbreaks of water- and food-borne diseases, including deadly cholera, during the monsoon season. Thousands of people get infected as floodwaters contaminate most of the drinking water sources.
Last year, at least 95 cholera cases were confirmed in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Kailali, Pyuthan, Makawanpur, Rolpa, Sindhupalchok, Achham, and Rautahat districts.
The Vibrio cholera 01 Ogawa serotype was confirmed in the stool samples of infected patients.
Public health experts say that due to poor sanitation and hygiene, the country remains highly vulnerable to waterborne diseases, including diarrhoea, dysentery, typhoid, hepatitis, and cholera, especially in the monsoon season.
They say that the risk of waterborne diseases will not lessen until the country's water and sanitation conditions improve, and people are ensured safe drinking water. Several other factors, including storage conditions, supply pipes, and pollution in water sources, also impact the quality of water supplied to households.
Raju Shah, health coordinator of Birgunj Metropolis, said that people in the metropolis are being supplied water from three sources, and people using water from all three sources have been infected.
“Patients have been suffering from watery diarrhoea, vomiting, muscle cramps, dry mouth, and sunken eyes,” said Shah. “Drinking water could be the main culprit, but we cannot say which source is problematic without getting the lab results.”
Meanwhile, the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division said a team of experts comprising representatives from the World Health Organisation, Health Ministry, and the division reached Birgunj on Sunday to assist provincial and local health officials in controlling the spread of infection.
“Medicines have been supplied from the provincial health directorate, and all necessary measures have been taken to control the outbreak,” said Dr Chandra Bhal Jha, director of the division. “The expert team has started its work in close coordination with provincial and local health authorities.”
Door-to-door campaigns have been launched in disease-hit areas, mobilising medical doctors, paramedics, nursing staff, medical students, and other health workers.
“We have been running awareness drives, urging people to boil water properly before drinking, and avoid raw food brought from markets,” said Ram Jinees Chaurasia, a health worker deployed in ward 13 of the metropolis. “We have also asked people not to consume chatpate, panipuri, and other roadside food.”
The World Health Organisation says cholera is a global threat to public health, and a multifaceted approach is key to controlling the disease and reducing deaths.
|
Cholera Outbreak
|
Waterborne Disease in Birgunj Metropolitan City
|
['Cholera' 'Waterborne Disease' 'Birgunj Metropolitan City'
'Diarrheal Infection' 'E coli' 'Contaminated Water' 'Public Health']
| -0.8
|
Negative
|
['Cholera' 'diarrheal infection' 'dysentery' 'typhoid' 'hepatitis']
|
['Narayani Hospital']
|
['World Health Organisation' 'Epidemiology and Disease Control Division'
'Health Ministry']
|
['Dr Chuman Lal Das' 'Raju Shah' 'Dr Chandra Bhal Jha'
'Ram Jinees Chaurasia']
|
['Birgunj Metropolitan City' 'Kathmandu' 'Lalitpur' 'Kailali' 'Pyuthan'
'Makawanpur' 'Rolpa' 'Sindhupalchok' 'Achham' 'Rautahat' 'Nepal']
|
[]
|
[]
| 4,248
| 5
| 4
| 3
| 11
| 0
| 0
| 1
|
{'World Health Organisation': 'Positive', 'Epidemiology and Disease Control Division': 'Positive', 'Health Ministry': 'Positive'}
|
{'Dr Chuman Lal Das': 'Neutral', 'Raju Shah': 'Neutral', 'Dr Chandra Bhal Jha': 'Neutral', 'Ram Jinees Chaurasia': 'Neutral'}
|
{'Cholera Control Measures': 'Negative', 'Public Health Initiatives': 'Positive'}
|
{'Narayani Hospital': 'Neutral'}
|
{'World Health Organisation': 0.7, 'Epidemiology and Disease Control Division': 0.6, 'Health Ministry': 0.6}
|
{'Dr Chuman Lal Das': 0, 'Raju Shah': 0, 'Dr Chandra Bhal Jha': 0, 'Ram Jinees Chaurasia': 0}
|
{'Cholera Control Measures': -0.6, 'Public Health Initiatives': 0.5}
|
{'Narayani Hospital': 0}
|
Physical
|
{'Cholera': 'addressed', 'diarrheal infection': 'addressed', 'dysentery': 'not addressed', 'typhoid': 'not addressed', 'hepatitis': 'not addressed'}
|
['Birgunj Metropolitan City', 'Kathmandu', 'Lalitpur', 'Kailali', 'Pyuthan', 'Makawanpur', 'Rolpa', 'Sindhupalchok', 'Achham', 'Rautahat']
| 10
|
{'Achham': ['cholera'], 'Kailali': ['cholera'], 'Kathmandu': ['cholera'], 'Lalitpur': ['cholera'], 'Makwanpur': ['cholera'], 'Parsa': ['cholera', 'diarrhoea', 'e coli'], 'Pyuthan': ['cholera'], 'Rautahat': ['cholera'], 'Rolpa': ['cholera'], 'Sindhupalchok': ['cholera']}
| null | null |
https://kathmandupost.com/health/2025/08/22/over-5-000-infected-with-scrub-typhus-since-january
|
2025-08-22 16:22:00
|
kathmandu_post
|
2025-09-07
|
Over 5,000 infected with scrub typhus since January
|
Post Report
|
2025-08-22
|
Kathmandu
|
As many as 5,017 people have tested positive for scrub typhus in Nepal since January, data provided by the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, show.
Some people infected with the life-threatening disease have succumbed to the infection, but the actual number is not known, as most health facilities across the country lack a proper system to determine the cause of death.
“People may have died from complications caused by scrub typhus, but doctors often report that patients died of multi-organ failure,” said Dr Gokarna Dahal, chief of the Vector Control Section at the division. “Due to a lack of a proper system to confirm causes of deaths, we are not in a position to say how many deaths were caused by scrub typhus.”
Scrub typhus, or bush typhus, is a potentially fatal infectious disease caused by the parasite Orientia tsutsugamushi, a mite-borne bacterium. It spreads to humans when bitten by infected chiggers (larval mites) found on mice.
In the fiscal year 2024-25, at least 16,597 people across the country were infected with scrub typhus. Of the total cases of infection, Lumbini province recorded 4,322 cases, the highest number in the country, followed by Sudurpaschim province (3,746 cases), Karnali (2,539), Koshi (2,119), Bagmati (1,838), Gandaki (1,725) and Madhesh province (308).
The number could be higher still, as all cases of infection do not enter government records.
What alarms health officials is that people living in urban settings are also getting infected with this disease. Until a few years ago, it was believed that only those residing in rural areas or those working in grasslands or fields were at high risk.
This life-threatening disease has emerged as a major public health problem of late, as thousands of people get infected and some also fall into a coma every year.
“Scrub typhus has emerged as a major public health problem in Nepal,” said Dahal, “People residing in both rural and urban settings are now getting infected.”
Nepal saw a surge in scrub typhus cases after the calamitous 2015 earthquakes that killed nearly 9,000 persons across the country.
Three months after the quakes, the BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, alerted the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division about six children with unusual fevers and severe respiratory problems.
Serum samples were collected for subsequent tests in Kathmandu and Bangkok, which confirmed a scrub typhus outbreak. By then, four children had already died in the course of treatment. By the end of the year, 101 cases were confirmed in 16 districts, and four more people succumbed to the disease.
The outbreak escalated in 2016, when 831 cases were reported in 47 districts, and 14 people died by the end of that year.
According to the Ministry of Health and Population data, 1,026 people were infected with the disease in 2020. The number increased to 1,999 in 2021, and to more than 2,900 in 2022. In 2023, over 5,000 people were infected.
Doctors say the risk of severity and fatality can be minimised if patients are diagnosed and treated early.
Common antibiotics, such as doxycycline and azithromycin, which are on the government’s essential drugs list and distributed free to health facilities across the country, can cure the disease.
However, what is concerning is that many health workers, including doctors, lack sufficient knowledge about diagnosing scrub typhus. Many health facilities also lack reagents to carry out tests for the disease.
Doctors can diagnose the disease based on the symptoms, but the risk of misdiagnosis is high, as scrub typhus symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses.
Waiting for lab results before starting treatment can be dangerous as it can take about a week to get lab results and, by that time, the patient can fall into coma and suffer multi-organ failure.
The symptoms include high fever, headache, abdominal pain, backache, joint and muscle pain, red rash, nausea and vomiting. Patients with severe illness may develop bleeding, which could lead to organ failure. The infection can lead to respiratory distress, inflammation of brain, lungs, kidney failure and then multi-organ failure. If not treated immediately, the infection can be fatal.
Dengue cases hit 3,247 since January
Meanwhile, officials at the division said that at least three people have succumbed to dengue virus infection, and 3,247 others have been infected with dengue virus since January.
Dengue is a viral disease transmitted by female Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. According to the World Health Organisation, the same vector also transmits chikungunya, yellow fever, and the Zika virus.
In 2024, 15 people died, and 41,865 others were infected as the virus spread to 76 districts. In 2023, 88 persons succumbed and more than 54,000 were infected by the virus, which had spread to all 77 districts.
At the time, hospitals in Kathmandu Valley were overwhelmed with dengue patients, and pharmacies had run out of paracetamol, the most widely used medicine to treat fever.
Since dengue became endemic in Nepal years ago, meaning people get infected throughout the year, health officials no longer classify it as an outbreak of a deadly virus.
|
Scrub Typhus Outbreak in Nepal
|
Rise in Cases and Public Health Concerns
|
['Scrub Typhus' 'Nepal' 'Public Health' 'Infectious Disease'
'Dengue Virus' 'Epidemiology']
| 0.8
|
Negative
|
['scrub typhus' 'dengue' 'multi-organ failure' 'chikungunya'
'yellow fever' 'Zika virus']
|
['BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences']
|
['Epidemiology and Disease Control Division'
'Ministry of Health and Population' 'World Health Organisation']
|
['Dr Gokarna Dahal']
|
['Nepal' 'Lumbini' 'Sudurpaschim' 'Karnali' 'Koshi' 'Bagmati' 'Gandaki'
'Madhesh' 'Kathmandu' 'Bangkok' 'Dharan']
|
['doxycycline' 'azithromycin' 'paracetamol']
|
[]
| 5,204
| 6
| 1
| 3
| 11
| 0
| 3
| 1
|
{'Epidemiology and Disease Control Division': 'Negative', 'Ministry of Health and Population': 'Negative', 'World Health Organisation': 'Neutral'}
|
{'Dr Gokarna Dahal': 'Neutral'}
| null |
{'BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences': 'Negative'}
|
{'Epidemiology and Disease Control Division': -0.6, 'Ministry of Health and Population': -0.5, 'World Health Organisation': 0.0}
|
{'Dr Gokarna Dahal': 0}
| null |
{'BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences': -0.5}
|
Physical
|
{'scrub typhus': 'addressed', 'dengue': 'not addressed', 'multi-organ failure': 'not addressed', 'chikungunya': 'not addressed', 'yellow fever': 'not addressed', 'Zika virus': 'not addressed'}
|
['Nepal', 'Lumbini province', 'Sudurpaschim province', 'Karnali', 'Koshi', 'Bagmati', 'Gandaki', 'Madhesh province']
| 8
|
{'All 77 districts of Nepal': ['scrub typhus', 'dengue']}
| null | null |
https://kathmandupost.com/health/2025/08/20/nepal-to-continue-rubella-shots-despite-eliminating-the-disease
|
2025-08-20 19:40:00
|
kathmandu_post
|
2025-09-07
|
Nepal to continue rubella shots despite eliminating the disease
|
Post Report
|
2025-08-20
|
Kathmandu
|
Nepal will continue administering the rubella vaccine as part of its routine immunisation programme, even though the country has eliminated the disease, which is caused by a highly contagious virus.
Officials say the disease could reemerge anytime if immunisation is stopped.
“We have been administering vaccines against diphtheria, whooping cough and others for years, even though there have been no cases for years,” said Dr Abhiyan Gautam, chief of the Immunisation Section at the Family Welfare Division under the Department of Health Services. “So, we have to continue the rubella vaccine as usual. The deadly disease has just been eliminated, not eradicated.”
Rubella, or German measles, is a highly contagious viral infection. It is especially dangerous for pregnant women, as infection can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or a range of lifelong and debilitating birth defects. But rubella is preventable with safe and cost-effective vaccines
The World Health Organisation announced on Monday that Nepal had eliminated rubella as a public health problem. The UN health body in its statement described it as a remarkable achievement for a country making concerted efforts to protect its people from vaccine-preventable diseases.
Nepal is the sixth country in WHO South-East Asia to achieve rubella elimination. The region has prioritised eliminating measles and rubella as public health problems by 2026. Bhutan, North Korea, the Maldives, and Timor-Leste have already eliminated measles, and now Nepal has eliminated rubella.
Nepal introduced a rubella-containing vaccine in its immunisation programme in 2012 with a nationwide campaign targeting children aged between 9 months and 15 years. A second dose was added to the routine immunisation schedule in 2016.
Four national campaigns in 2012, 2016, 2020, and 2024 helped increase access, despite major public health emergencies such as the 2015 earthquakes and the Covid pandemic in 2019-21. By 2024, Nepal achieved over 95 percent coverage for at least one dose of the rubella vaccine, according to the UN health body.
“We achieved the rubella elimination goal prior to the deadline,” said Gautam. “We are also in line to eliminate measles by 2026. Measles cases have declined significantly, and we will request international independent verification next year if we succeed in preventing any new outbreak.”
For independent verification, there should be no new outbreak for three consecutive years, officials say.
Measles is also a highly contagious viral disease transmitted through fluids from the nose, mouth or throat of infected persons. The disease can be prevented with a two-dose vaccine, first administered at nine months of age and then at 15 months. The government provides measles’ vaccines for free at health facilities across the country.
Nepal had committed to eliminating measles by 2023 after missing the earlier deadline of 2019. However, a massive measles outbreak in 2022 and 2023 hampered the country’s progress towards the goal.
To achieve measles elimination status, there should be fewer than five cases per 1,000,000 population, or no cases throughout the year. Gautam said that currently, there is around one positive case in per million population.
Measles was endemic in Nepal, with an average of 90,000 cases recorded every year from 1994 to 2004. Routine measles vaccination began in the country in 1979, starting with three districts. The campaign was extended nationwide after 10 years.
|
Nepal's elimination of rubella
|
Continuation of immunisation programme
|
['rubella vaccine' 'immunisation programme' 'Nepal'
'World Health Organisation' 'measles elimination']
| 0.8
|
Positive
|
['rubella' 'diphtheria' 'whooping cough' 'measles' 'German measles'
'Covid']
|
[]
|
['World Health Organisation' 'UN' 'Department of Health Services'
'Family Welfare Division']
|
['Abhiyan Gautam']
|
['Nepal' 'Bhutan' 'North Korea' 'Maldives' 'Timor-Leste']
|
['rubella vaccine' 'measles vaccine']
|
[]
| 3,480
| 6
| 1
| 4
| 5
| 0
| 2
| 0
|
{'World Health Organisation': 'Positive', 'UN': 'Positive', 'Department of Health Services': 'Positive', 'Family Welfare Division': 'Positive'}
|
{'Abhiyan Gautam': 'Positive'}
|
{'rubella vaccination': 'Positive', 'measles vaccination': 'Positive'}
| null |
{'World Health Organisation': 0.9, 'UN': 0.85, 'Department of Health Services': 0.8, 'Family Welfare Division': 0.8}
|
{'Abhiyan Gautam': 0.7}
|
{'rubella vaccination': 0.8, 'measles vaccination': 0.6}
| null |
Physical
|
{'rubella': 'addressed', 'diphtheria': 'addressed', 'whooping cough': 'addressed', 'measles': 'addressed', 'German measles': 'addressed', 'Covid': 'not addressed'}
|
['Nepal', 'Bhutan', 'North Korea', 'Maldives', 'Timor-Leste']
| 5
|
{
"location_by_disease": {}
}
| null | null |
https://kathmandupost.com/health/2025/08/19/je-death-toll-rises-in-nine-as-disease-spreads
|
2025-08-20 06:09:00
|
kathmandu_post
|
2025-09-07
|
JE death toll rises to nine as disease spreads
|
Post Report
|
2025-08-19
|
Kathmandu
|
At least nine people died, and 54 others have been infected with the Japanese encephalitis (JE), which has spread in 50 local levels of 24 districts across the country. All seven provinces across the country have reported the outbreak of the deadly disease.
The number of infections and deaths from JE virus has been rising alarmingly. Just two weeks ago, only 13 infections and two deaths were reported.
According to data provided by the Ministry of Health and Population, 36 males and 27 females have been infected so far. Of the total nine deaths, five were female and four male. Koshi and Bagmati provinces reported three deaths each, Lumbini province reported two, and Madhesh reported one death.
JE is a viral brain infection endemic to Asia and parts of the Western Pacific. According to the World Health Organisation, it is a mosquito-borne flavivirus belonging to the same family as dengue, Zika, yellow fever, and West Nile viruses. The virus kills a third of those who fall ill and leaves up to half of the survivors with severe lifelong disabilities, according to the UN health body.
Last year, 23 people succumbed to the disease, including one in the Kathmandu Valley, and over 80 people were infected. Doctors say the actual number of cases could be higher, as tests were carried out only on hospitalised patients with severe symptoms.
This year, JE cases have been reported in Morang, Bara, Jhapa, Saptari, Siraha, Sarlahi, Parsa, Nawalparasi West, Nawalparasi East, Sindhuli, Bardia, Kailali, and Chitwan districts. Likewise, Dang, Pyuthan, Gulmi, Kapilvastu, Rautahat, Dhanusha, Terhathum, and Ilam have also reported JE infection.
Also, the farwestern mountain district of Jumla also reported JE cases in Sinja.
With rising infections, the case fatality rate has also increased to over 14 percent, which indicates that the country is again witnessing a resurgence of the deadly disease, which has killed and infected thousands of people in the past. Most of those infected and dead were unvaccinated.
Experts warn that without vaccination, these vulnerable populations are at high risk, but the government has yet to take decisive action to contain the outbreak.
Data show mortality is higher among those above 15 years of age, which indicates that unvaccinated adults are at higher risk.
Health authorities admit that they do not have immediate plans for vaccination.
“We have not held any meeting regarding JE vaccination for adults,” said Dr Ramesh Kanta Adhikari, chief of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee. “Vaccination is not a solution for controlling the current outbreak, but it provides protection against future infections.”
JE vaccine is provided to all children under the routine immunisation programme, according to Adhikari.
Health Ministry officials say they lack a budget to launch a vaccination drive for the adult population.
Authorities have focussed on preventive measures, including awareness drives, environment management for vector control, and case management training for doctors in disease-hit districts.
However, the rise in the number of infections in Tarai districts shows that those measures are not sufficient.
Health Ministry officials admit that JE is the number one killer among vector-borne diseases in Nepal and say they attempted to convince development partners, including the World Health Organisation, to support a mass JE vaccination campaign over the past year, without success.
In 2005, JE killed nearly 2,000 people in Nepal—mostly children from Tarai districts. Nepal started administering the JE vaccine in 2006, eight years before the World Health Organisation officially issued prequalification certification, due to the high rates of infection and deaths from the virus at the time.
In the first phase, all populations of the highly affected four districts—Banke, Bardiya, Dang, and Kailali—reveived the JE vaccine. Later, the vaccination programme was expanded to 19 other affected districts, and children under 15 were inoculated.
The government integrated the JE vaccine into routine immunisation in 2015. Still, people continue to die and dozens get infected by the deadly virus every year.
Public health experts say this is the right time to vaccinate all those at risk. Even if the vaccine does not help in outbreak management, it provides immunity against future infections, according to them.
The JE virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected Culex mosquitoes. Pigs and ducks are considered natural reservoirs of the virus. Complications from JE infection can cause permanent injuries to the brain and the nervous system. The disease has no cure, so treatment focuses on managing symptoms. However, safe and effective vaccines have been developed to prevent infection.
Doctors advise avoiding mosquito bites, such as by using mosquito repellents, wearing long-sleeved clothes, and getting vaccinated if one lives in or travels to disease-endemic areas. They also stress the importance of awareness and timely treatment to prevent infections and deaths.
An estimated 12.5 million people are thought to be at high risk of JE infection in Nepal.
|
Japanese Encephalitis Outbreak
|
Rising Infections and Deaths in Nepal
|
['Japanese Encephalitis' 'Nepal' 'Outbreak' 'Infections' 'Deaths'
'Vaccination' 'Mosquito-Borne Disease']
| -0.8
|
Negative
|
['Japanese encephalitis' 'dengue' 'Zika' 'yellow fever'
'West Nile viruses']
|
[]
|
['Ministry of Health and Population' 'World Health Organisation'
'National Immunisation Advisory Committee']
|
['Dr Ramesh Kanta Adhikari']
|
['Nepal' 'Asia' 'Western Pacific' 'Kathmandu Valley' 'Morang' 'Bara'
'Jhapa' 'Saptari' 'Siraha' 'Sarlahi' 'Parsa' 'Nawalparasi West'
'Nawalparasi East' 'Sindhuli' 'Bardia' 'Kailali' 'Chitwan' 'Dang'
'Pyuthan' 'Gulmi' 'Kapilvastu' 'Rautahat' 'Dhanusha' 'Terhathum' 'Ilam'
'Jumla' 'Sinja']
|
['JE vaccine']
|
[]
| 5,152
| 5
| 1
| 3
| 27
| 0
| 1
| 0
|
{'Ministry of Health and Population': 'Negative', 'World Health Organisation': 'Negative', 'National Immunisation Advisory Committee': 'Negative'}
|
{'Dr Ramesh Kanta Adhikari': 'Neutral'}
|
{'Vaccination Policy': 'Negative'}
| null |
{'Ministry of Health and Population': -0.6, 'World Health Organisation': -0.5, 'National Immunisation Advisory Committee': -0.7}
|
{'Dr Ramesh Kanta Adhikari': 0}
|
{'Vaccination Policy': -0.7}
| null |
Physical
|
{'Japanese encephalitis': 'to be addressed', 'dengue': 'not addressed', 'Zika': 'not addressed', 'yellow fever': 'not addressed', 'West Nile viruses': 'not addressed'}
|
['Morang', 'Bara', 'Jhapa', 'Saptari', 'Siraha', 'Sarlahi', 'Parsa', 'Nawalparasi West', 'Nawalparasi East', 'Sindhuli', 'Bardia', 'Kailali', 'Chitwan', 'Dang', 'Pyuthan', 'Gulmi', 'Kapilvastu', 'Rautahat', 'Dhanusha', 'Terhathum', 'Ilam', 'Jumla']
| 22
|
{'Banke': ['Japanese encephalitis'], 'Bara': ['Japanese encephalitis'], 'Bardiya': ['Japanese encephalitis'], 'Chitwan': ['Japanese encephalitis'], 'Dang': ['Japanese encephalitis'], 'Dhanusha': ['Japanese encephalitis'], 'Ilam': ['Japanese encephalitis'], 'Jhapa': ['Japanese encephalitis'], 'Jumla': ['Japanese encephalitis'], 'Kailali': ['Japanese encephalitis'], 'Kapilvastu': ['Japanese encephalitis'], 'Morang': ['Japanese encephalitis'], 'Nawalpur': ['Japanese encephalitis'], 'Parasi': ['Japanese encephalitis'], 'Parsa': ['Japanese encephalitis'], 'Pyuthan': ['Japanese encephalitis'], 'Rautahat': ['Japanese encephalitis'], 'Saptari': ['Japanese encephalitis'], 'Sarlahi': ['Japanese encephalitis'], 'Sindhuli': ['Japanese encephalitis'], 'Siraha': ['Japanese encephalitis'], 'Terhathum': ['Japanese encephalitis']}
| null | null |
https://kathmandupost.com/health/2025/08/18/kmc-suspends-emission-testing-enforces-public-smoking-ban
|
2025-08-18 19:14:00
|
kathmandu_post
|
2025-09-07
|
KMC suspends emission testing, enforces public smoking ban
|
Post Report
|
2025-08-18
|
Kathmandu
|
Emission testing of vehicles, both private and public, started by the Kathmandu Metropolitan City since January, has been suspended indefinitely, as the City Office failed to retain a mechanical engineer.
Officials said that emission testing cannot be carried out without the help of a mechanical engineer, and the contract of the previous engineer expired a month ago.
“We have suspended emission tests on Kathmandu roads for about a month,” said Jagatman Shrestha, traffic expert adviser at the Kathmandu Metropolitan City office. “We will resume testing once we renew the engineer’s contract.”
Random on-the-spot emissions testing of vehicles has long been a plan of the metropolis to tackle growing air pollution in the Kathmandu Valley.
Nepal’s air quality reaches hazardous levels several times a year, and the capital city often becomes the world’s most polluted metropolis.
The city office started carrying out emissions testing on January 13 in coordination with the traffic police, and the federal Department of Environment and the Department of Transport Management.
The test showed that around 80 percent of diesel vehicles—buses, micro-buses and tata pick-up trucks—on Kathmandu’s roads emit black smoke beyond permissible levels. Likewise, around 30 percent of petrol vehicles—cars and motorcycles—also failed the tests.
“The crackdown on polluting vehicles had shifted vehicle owners’ attitudes towards engine maintenance,” said Shrestha. “ After repeated warnings and fines, the percentage of polluting diesel vehicles had lessened to 60 percent and petrol vehicles to 10 percent.”
The metropolis carried out emission testing on over 3,000 vehicles on a random basis.
Although vehicle emission testing is mainly the responsibility of federal agencies, the constitution also mandates local governments to take measures to reduce pollution, officials say.
The metropolis has developed pollution control guidelines as per the KMC Environment and Natural Resources Protection Act-2021.
In the initial stage, the metropolis carried out testing for raising awareness and warned drivers and owners to maintain their vehicle engines to avoid fines and legal action, and had obtained written commitments from vehicles that failed initial tests.
Later, it slapped Rs1,000 fines on drivers of polluting vehicles for ignoring these warnings.
Metropolis officials say more problems have been found in vehicles older than 20 years. The government has announced several times its intention to ban vehicles older than 20 years throughout the country to reduce traffic congestion, air pollution, and road accidents caused by old vehicles. However, the decision has not yet been implemented.
Meanwhile, the City Office has started enforcing a ban on smoking in public places from Sunday.
“On Sunday, we caught 17 smokers and fined Rs500 each,” said Raju Nath Pandey, chief of KMC Police. “The total number of rule violators will be known only in the evening.”
The metropolis has deployed several teams of its security personnel to discourage smoking in public places.
The KMC had also launched an awareness campaign within its jurisdiction against smoking in public places before enforcing a ban.
A recent executive and municipal assembly meeting of the city office had decided to enforce a smoking ban in public places and fine violators Rs500.
The decision to ban smoking in public places is in accordance with Clause 42 of the Public Health Act, which the metropolis unveiled some two years ago.
Tobacco use is a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCD), including cancers, cardiovascular diseases, chronic lung diseases and diabetes. It is the world’s leading cause of preventable deaths and kills nearly eight million people every year. It claims 1.6 million lives in the WHO South-East Asia Region, which is among the largest producers and consumers of tobacco products.
Studies show 28 percent of men and five percent of women in Nepal smoke tobacco, according to the final report of the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey-2022, a nationwide study carried out by the Ministry of Health and Population between January 5 and June 22 last year.
The study shows 17 percent of men smoke on a daily basis, while 11 percent occasionally do. Among men who smoke cigarettes, a majority (54 percent) smoke less than five cigarettes per day on average. More men use smokeless tobacco than women—35 percent versus three percent. Overall, half of the men (50 percent) and only seven percent of women in Nepal use any type of tobacco.
The growing use of new and emerging products such as Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems/e-cigarettes and the social use of sheesha/hookah are additional challenges to tobacco control, experts say.
“A lot of people, especially parents of teenage children, have complained to us and asked to prohibit the sales and use of tobacco,” said Dhurba Kumar Kafle, deputy spokesperson at the city office. “Our decision to impose a ban on smoking will discourage people from smoking.”
According to the World Health Organisation, tobacco kills 27,137 people in Nepal every year.
|
Environmental and Health Issues in Kathmandu
|
Air Pollution and Smoking Ban
|
['air pollution' 'emission testing' 'smoking ban' 'vehicle maintenance'
'tobacco control' 'public health']
| 0.6
|
Negative
|
['air pollution' 'cancers' 'cardiovascular diseases'
'chronic lung diseases' 'diabetes' 'non-communicable diseases']
|
[]
|
['Kathmandu Metropolitan City' 'Department of Environment'
'Department of Transport Management' 'World Health Organisation'
'Ministry of Health and Population']
|
['Jagatman Shrestha' 'Raju Nath Pandey' 'Dhurba Kumar Kafle']
|
['Kathmandu' 'Kathmandu Valley' 'Nepal' 'WHO South-East Asia Region']
|
[]
|
['KMC Environment and Natural Resources Protection Act-2021'
'Public Health Act' 'Clause 42']
| 5,110
| 6
| 3
| 5
| 4
| 3
| 0
| 0
|
{'Kathmandu Metropolitan City': 'Negative', 'Department of Environment': 'Neutral', 'Department of Transport Management': 'Neutral', 'World Health Organisation': 'Negative', 'Ministry of Health and Population': 'Negative'}
|
{'Jagatman Shrestha': 'Neutral', 'Raju Nath Pandey': 'Positive', 'Dhurba Kumar Kafle': 'Positive'}
|
{'KMC Environment and Natural Resources Protection Act-2021': 'Positive', 'Public Health Act': 'Positive', 'Clause 42': 'Positive'}
| null |
{'Kathmandu Metropolitan City': -0.5, 'Department of Environment': 0, 'Department of Transport Management': 0, 'World Health Organisation': -0.4, 'Ministry of Health and Population': -0.3}
|
{'Jagatman Shrestha': 0, 'Raju Nath Pandey': 0.5, 'Dhurba Kumar Kafle': 0.5}
|
{'KMC Environment and Natural Resources Protection Act-2021': 0.6, 'Public Health Act': 0.7, 'Clause 42': 0.7}
| null |
Both
|
{'air pollution': 'addressed', 'cancers': 'not addressed', 'cardiovascular diseases': 'not addressed', 'chronic lung diseases': 'not addressed', 'diabetes': 'not addressed', 'non-communicable diseases': 'addressed'}
|
['Kathmandu', 'Kathmandu Valley', 'Nepal']
| 3
|
{'Kathmandu': ['cancers', 'cardiovascular diseases', 'chronic lung diseases', 'diabetes']}
| null | null |
https://kathmandupost.com/health/2025/08/18/nepal-eliminates-rubella-highly-contagious-viral-disease-who
|
2025-08-18 18:32:00
|
kathmandu_post
|
2025-09-07
|
Nepal eliminates highly contagious viral disease rubella: WHO
|
Post Report
|
2025-08-18
|
Kathmandu
|
Nepal has eliminated rubella, a highly contagious viral disease as a public health problem, the World Health Organisation, announced on Monday.
The UN health body in its statement said that it is a remarkable achievement for a country making concerted efforts to protect its people from vaccine preventable diseases.
Rubella, or German measles, is a highly contagious viral infection. It is serious particularly for pregnant women as infection can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or a range of lifelong and debilitating birth defects. But rubella is preventable with safe and cost-effective vaccines.
“Nepal’s success reflects the unwavering commitment of its leadership, persistent efforts of the health care workers and volunteers, and unstinting support of engaged and informed communities, for a healthy start for babies and a future free of rubella disease,” said Dr Catharina Boehme, officer-in-charge WHO South-East Asia, while endorsing the recommendation of the Regional Verification Commission for Measles and Rubella elimination in South-East Asia Region (SEA-RVC) for Nepal to be verified for eliminating rubella.
The SEA-RVC which held its annual meeting from July 22-24, 2025, reviewed and evaluated information and data submitted by the national verification committee on measles and rubella disease surveillance and immunisation coverage rates, and recommended verification of rubella elimination in Nepal.
Nepal is the sixth country in WHO South-East Asia to achieve rubella elimination. Prioritising elimination of measles and rubella as public health problems in WHO South-East Asia by 2026, Bhutan, DPR Korea, Maldives, and Timor-Leste have eliminated measles, and Bhutan, DPR Korea, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Timor- Leste, and now Nepal have eliminated rubella.
“Congratulations to Nepal for eliminating rubella. This public health achievement is the result of close collaboration between the government, dedicated health workers, partners and communities,” said Dr Rajesh Sambhajirao Pandav, WHO Representative to Nepal. “WHO is proud to have contributed to this journey and remains committed to supporting Nepal sustain this accomplishment.”
Nepal introduced rubella-containing vaccine in its immunisation programme in 2012 with a nationwide campaign for the age group 9 months to 15 years. A second dose of rubella-containing vaccine was added to the routine immunisation schedule in 2016.
Four national campaigns with rubella vaccines in 2012, 2016, 2020, and 2024, helped increase access, despite major public health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic and earthquakes in 2015 and 2023. By 2024, Nepal achieved over 95 percent coverage for at least one dose of rubella vaccine.
Innovative strategies such as observing ‘immunisation month’, outreach to vaccinate missed children, and motivation for the districts to be declared ‘fully immunised’, provided further impetus to elimination efforts.
To further strengthen surveillance, Nepal recently introduced a robust laboratory testing algorithm, the first in the WHO South-East Asia Region to do so.
|
Nepal eliminates rubella as a public health problem
|
Vaccination efforts and disease surveillance
|
['Nepal' 'rubella' 'vaccination' 'WHO' 'public health'
'disease elimination']
| 0.9
|
Positive
|
['rubella' 'German measles' 'COVID-19']
|
[]
|
['World Health Organisation' 'UN' 'WHO South-East Asia'
'Regional Verification Commission for Measles and Rubella elimination']
|
['Dr Catharina Boehme' 'Dr Rajesh Sambhajirao Pandav']
|
['Nepal' 'South-East Asia' 'Bhutan' 'DPR Korea' 'Maldives' 'Timor-Leste'
'Sri Lanka']
|
['rubella-containing vaccine']
|
[]
| 3,078
| 3
| 2
| 4
| 7
| 0
| 1
| 0
|
{'World Health Organisation': 'Positive', 'UN': 'Positive', 'WHO South-East Asia': 'Positive', 'Regional Verification Commission for Measles and Rubella elimination': 'Positive'}
|
{'Dr Catharina Boehme': 'Positive', 'Dr Rajesh Sambhajirao Pandav': 'Positive'}
|
{'': ''}
| null |
{'World Health Organisation': 0.9, 'UN': 0.8, 'WHO South-East Asia': 0.9, 'Regional Verification Commission for Measles and Rubella elimination': 0.85}
|
{'Dr Catharina Boehme': 0.8, 'Dr Rajesh Sambhajirao Pandav': 0.9}
|
{'': 0}
| null |
Physical
|
{'rubella': 'addressed', 'German measles': 'addressed', 'COVID-19': 'not addressed'}
|
['Nepal', 'Bhutan', 'DPR Korea', 'Maldives', 'Timor-Leste', 'Sri Lanka']
| 6
|
{'Nepal': ['rubella', 'measles', 'COVID-19']}
| null | null |
https://kathmandupost.com/health/2025/09/08/singha-durbar-premises-teeming-with-dengue-mosquito-larvae
|
2025-09-08 07:54:00
|
kathmandu_post
|
2025-09-08
|
Singha Durbar premises teeming with dengue mosquito larvae
|
Post Report
|
2025-09-08
|
Kathmandu
|
On Friday, health workers deployed from the Kathmandu Metropolitan City inspected Singha Durbar for potential breeding grounds for dengue-spreading mosquitoes.
The staffers working under the city’s Health Department could inspect only a few offices, but what they saw on the office premises of the government’s central secretariat were alarming.
“We found stagnant water and Aedes mosquito larvae in discarded tyres, plastic cups, bottles, and dumped toilet commodes in almost all offices,” said Rishi Bhusal, an epidemic control inspector at the city office. “We concluded that the offices inside Singhadurbar have also been providing breeding grounds to the virus-spreading vectors.”
Dengue is a viral disease transmitted by female Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. According to the World Health Organisation, the same vector also transmits chikungunya, yellow fever, and the Zika virus.
Health workers deployed by the metropolis for a search-and-destroy drive showed mosquito larvae to officials and bureaucrats and asked them to regularly clean up mosquito breeding sites.
“We also discussed with senior officials and ministers the growing dengue cases in the country,” said Dr Dibas Neupane, an official serving under the department. “They took our initiatives positively and committed to following our requests.”
The metropolis’s Health Department has been carrying out a search-and-destroy drive every Friday in the areas under its jurisdiction. But officials deployed for the campaign have complained that some government officials are not taking their requests positively.
“We also inspected the office of the Nepal Electricity Authority, where we found discarded tyres in open and stagnant water inside the tyres,” said Neupane. “We asked them why they let mosquito larvae develop, but their response was dismissive, and they behaved as if we went there to annoy them because we did not have any other work to do.”
Officials say they later issued a letter of warning to the NEA office.
Some government offices, such as the Election Commission and the Office of the Vice President, have requested fumigation to kill mosquitoes. But health officials say fumigation is not an effective means of dengue control.
The government has directed all offices concerned to destroy mosquito breeding grounds every week, but the KMC’s inspections show that only a few have followed through. Most offices have been keeping the premises clean, but have overlooked discarded tyres, plastic bottles, and cups at certain corners.
Dengue mosquitoes breed in clean water and bite during daytime. Uncovered water tanks and discarded objects such as plastic cups and bottles can serve as breeding grounds.
So far, three people have died and 3,926 people have been hospitalised for treatment of the dengue virus this year, which has spread in 74 districts throughout the country.
In 2024, 15 people died, and 41,865 others were infected as the virus spread to 76 districts. In 2023, 88 persons died and more than 54,000 were infected by the virus, which had spread to all 77 districts. At the time, hospitals in Kathmandu Valley were overwhelmed with dengue patients, and pharmacies had run out of paracetamol, the most widely used medicine to treat fever.
Experts say reported cases may represent only a small fraction of the true scale of infection, as around 90 percent of the infected people are asymptomatic, and many deaths and infections often go unreported.
Many people infected with dengue show mild symptoms, which do not need any treatment or can be managed with paracetamol at home.
Since dengue became endemic in Nepal years ago, meaning people get infected throughout the year, health officials no longer classify it as an outbreak of a deadly virus.
Health officials warn that the risk of dengue infection has not yet passed, as the post-monsoon season, which is considered the peak dengue season, is yet to come.
“A sharp spike in cases is likely once the ongoing rainfall stops for a few days,” said Dr Gokarna Dahal, chief of the Vector Control Section at the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division. “Everyone should be cautious and take initiative to prevent the spread of the dengue virus.”
In the worst-case scenario, over 60,000 people could get infected with the dengue virus in the next three months, according to a projection prepared by the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division.
Doctors say that, along with launching a search-and-destroy drive on a regular basis, authorities should also focus on strengthening the capacity of health facilities to prevent them from being overwhelmed in the event of a possible massive outbreak, experts say.
Symptoms of the disease include mild to high fever, severe muscle pain, rashes, severe headache and pain in the eyes, among other things. Doctors advise those with these symptoms to seek immediate treatment. While there is no specific cure for the disease, early detection and access to proper medical care can lower fatalities.
Nepal reported its first dengue case in a foreigner in 2004 in Chitwan district. Since then, an increasing number of dengue infections, including major outbreaks, have been reported from many districts.
The World Health Organisation says there is no specific cure for severe dengue, but early detection and access to proper medical care can save lives.
|
Dengue Outbreak in Nepal
|
Government Efforts to Control Mosquito Breeding
|
['Dengue Virus' 'Mosquito Breeding' 'Kathmandu Metropolitan City'
'Health Department' 'Search-and-Destroy Drive' 'Aedes Mosquitoes']
| -0.7
|
Negative
|
['dengue' 'chikungunya' 'yellow fever' 'Zika virus']
|
[]
|
['World Health Organisation' 'Kathmandu Metropolitan City'
'Nepal Electricity Authority' 'Election Commission'
'Office of the Vice President'
'Epidemiology and Disease Control Division']
|
['Rishi Bhusal' 'Dr Dibas Neupane' 'Dr Gokarna Dahal']
|
['Kathmandu' 'Nepal' 'Kathmandu Valley' 'Chitwan' 'Singha Durbar']
|
['paracetamol']
|
[]
| 5,359
| 4
| 3
| 6
| 5
| 0
| 1
| 0
|
{'World Health Organisation': 'Positive', 'Kathmandu Metropolitan City': 'Negative', 'Nepal Electricity Authority': 'Negative', 'Election Commission': 'Neutral', 'Office of the Vice President': 'Neutral', 'Epidemiology and Disease Control Division': 'Positive'}
|
{'Rishi Bhusal': 'Negative', 'Dr Dibas Neupane': 'Positive', 'Dr Gokarna Dahal': 'Neutral'}
|
{'Dengue Control Initiatives': 'Positive', 'Health Department Inspections': 'Negative'}
| null |
{'World Health Organisation': 0.5, 'Kathmandu Metropolitan City': -0.5, 'Nepal Electricity Authority': -0.7, 'Election Commission': 0, 'Office of the Vice President': 0, 'Epidemiology and Disease Control Division': 0.6}
|
{'Rishi Bhusal': -0.5, 'Dr Dibas Neupane': 0.6, 'Dr Gokarna Dahal': 0.0}
|
{'Dengue Control Initiatives': 0.5, 'Health Department Inspections': -0.5}
| null |
Physical
|
{'dengue': 'addressed', 'chikungunya': 'not addressed', 'yellow fever': 'not addressed', 'Zika virus': 'not addressed'}
|
['Kathmandu', 'Singha Durbar', 'Nepal Electricity Authority', 'Election Commission', 'Office of the Vice President', 'Chitwan district', '74 districts', '76 districts', '77 districts', 'Kathmandu Valley']
| 10
|
{'Chitwan': ['dengue'], 'Kathmandu': ['dengue', 'chikungunya', 'yellow fever', 'Zika virus']}
| null | null |
https://kathmandupost.com/health/2025/09/14/nepal-s-immunisation-on-the-brink-after-vaccine-stocks-gutted-in-arsons
|
2025-09-14 18:20:00
|
kathmandu_post
|
2025-09-14
|
Nepal’s immunisation on the brink after vaccine stocks gutted in arsons
|
Arjun Poudel
|
2025-09-14
|
Kathmandu
|
Thousands of doses of childhood vaccines have been destroyed after several health facilities, including cold chain storage units, in arson attacks during last week’s anti-corruption demonstrations across the country.
At least 13 cold chain units, including vaccine sub centers, which stored thousands of doses of childhood vaccines, were destroyed, when protesters unleashed their fury on government offices.
According to a preliminary report, at least 37 health facilities have been completely destroyed by the protesters.
“We are still accessing the damage,” said Dr Abhiyan Gautam, chief of the Immunisation Section at the Family Welfare Division under the Department of Health Services. “At least 13 cold chain units and vaccine stores have been destroyed by the fire.”
Childhood immunisation is the number one priority programme of the government, under which 13 types of vaccines are given against a range of diseases, including measles-rubella, pneumonia, tuberculosis, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis B, rotavirus, Japanese encephalitis and typhoid under the regular immunisation programme, free of cost.
The Ministry of Health and Population has also planned to include the human papillomavirus vaccine in the regular immunisation list from the ongoing fiscal year.
Officials said vaccine sub centers in Nepalgunj Sub-metropolitan City of Banke, Tulsipur Sub-metropolitan City, and vaccine cold chain room of Morang have been destroyed in arson attacks. Likewise, cold chain stores at Birgunj Sub-metropolitan City of Parsa, Golbazar Municipality of Siraha, Shuklaphanta Municipality of Kanchanpur, Godawari Municipality of Lalitpur, Biratnagar Metropolitan City, provincial health emergency operation center of Koshi province, and Khaireni and Rapti municipalities have also been destroyed.
Health officials say that routine immunisation could be disturbed in the districts, where vaccine cold stores have been destroyed.
“We don’t even have the budget to replace those units immediately,” said Gautam.
Public health experts say destruction of the vaccine cold chain units is a serious crime, something the country had not seen even during the Maoist insurgency (1996-2006). Most of the cold chain units were set up with financial help from development partners including the United Nations Children’s Fund.
“It is very difficult to find vaccine storage refrigerators and cold chain equipment in the market,” said Dr Baburam Marasini. “Some of those equipment were brought from Japan.”
Experts say the destruction of vaccine stocks and cold chain units could pose serious risks for quality control and children may miss routine vaccines, which could ultimately lead to outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases.
“Health agencies and health workers have to make extra efforts to ensure timely vaccination for all eligible children in the affected districts,” said Dr Shyam Raj Upreti, former director general at the Department of Health Services. “They should use cold stores in nearby districts to keep vaccines safe and pay extra attention to quality assurance.”
Routine immunisation is one of the most successful programmes in Nepal, with a high coverage rate. The country has demonstrated remarkable progress in reducing the under-five mortality rate and the regular immunisation programme is credited with that.
Nepal has recently eliminated rubella, a highly contagious viral disease, as a public health problem through routine immunisation.
The World Health Organisation last month announced that it is a remarkable achievement for a country making concerted efforts to protect its people from vaccine-preventable diseases.
Doctors say immunisation is the most cost-effective, powerful and efficient way to control and eliminate vaccine-preventable diseases that cause childhood illnesses and deaths.
|
Vaccine Destruction
|
Arson Attacks on Health Facilities
|
['childhood vaccines' 'arson attacks' 'health facilities'
'cold chain storage units' 'immunisation programme']
| -0.8
|
Negative
|
['measles-rubella' 'pneumonia' 'tuberculosis' 'diphtheria' 'pertussis'
'tetanus' 'hepatitis B' 'rotavirus' 'Japanese encephalitis' 'typhoid'
'human papillomavirus' 'rubella']
|
[]
|
['Department of Health Services' 'Family Welfare Division'
'Ministry of Health and Population' 'United Nations Children’s Fund'
'World Health Organisation']
|
['Abhiyan Gautam' 'Baburam Marasini' 'Shyam Raj Upreti']
|
['Nepal' 'Nepalgunj Sub-metropolitan City' 'Banke'
'Tulsipur Sub-metropolitan City' 'Morang' 'Birgunj Sub-metropolitan City'
'Parsa' 'Golbazar Municipality' 'Siraha' 'Shuklaphanta Municipality'
'Kanchanpur' 'Godawari Municipality' 'Lalitpur'
'Biratnagar Metropolitan City' 'Koshi province' 'Khaireni' 'Rapti'
'Japan']
|
['childhood vaccines' 'human papillomavirus vaccine']
|
['regular immunisation programme']
| 3,830
| 12
| 3
| 5
| 18
| 1
| 2
| 0
|
{'Department of Health Services': 'Negative', 'Family Welfare Division': 'Negative', 'Ministry of Health and Population': 'Negative', 'United Nations Children’s Fund': 'Positive', 'World Health Organisation': 'Positive'}
|
{'Abhiyan Gautam': 'Negative', 'Baburam Marasini': 'Negative', 'Shyam Raj Upreti': 'Negative'}
|
{'regular immunisation programme': 'Positive'}
| null |
{'Department of Health Services': -0.5, 'Family Welfare Division': -0.5, 'Ministry of Health and Population': -0.5, 'United Nations Children’s Fund': 0.5, 'World Health Organisation': 0.5}
|
{'Abhiyan Gautam': -0.6, 'Baburam Marasini': -0.7, 'Shyam Raj Upreti': -0.5}
|
{'regular immunisation programme': 0.7}
| null |
Physical
|
{'measles-rubella': 'addressed', 'pneumonia': 'addressed', 'tuberculosis': 'addressed', 'diphtheria': 'addressed', 'pertussis': 'addressed', 'tetanus': 'addressed', 'hepatitis B': 'addressed', 'rotavirus': 'addressed', 'Japanese encephalitis': 'addressed', 'typhoid': 'addressed', 'human papillomavirus': 'to be addressed', 'rubella': 'addressed'}
|
['Nepalgunj Sub-metropolitan City', 'Tulsipur Sub-metropolitan City', 'Morang', 'Birgunj Sub-metropolitan City', 'Parsa', 'Golbazar Municipality', 'Siraha', 'Shuklaphanta Municipality', 'Kanchanpur', 'Godawari Municipality', 'Lalitpur', 'Biratnagar Metropolitan City', 'Koshi province', 'Khaireni Municipality', 'Rapti Municipality']
| 15
|
{'Banke': ['measles-rubella', 'pneumonia', 'tuberculosis', 'diphtheria', 'pertussis', 'tetanus', 'hepatitis B', 'rotavirus', 'Japanese encephalitis', 'typhoid', 'human papillomavirus', 'rubella'], 'Chitwan': ['measles-rubella', 'pneumonia', 'tuberculosis', 'diphtheria', 'pertussis', 'tetanus', 'hepatitis B', 'rotavirus', 'Japanese encephalitis', 'typhoid', 'human papillomavirus', 'rubella'], 'Dang': ['measles-rubella', 'pneumonia', 'tuberculosis', 'diphtheria', 'pertussis', 'tetanus', 'hepatitis B', 'rotavirus', 'Japanese encephalitis', 'typhoid', 'human papillomavirus', 'rubella'], 'Kanchanpur': ['measles-rubella', 'pneumonia', 'tuberculosis', 'diphtheria', 'pertussis', 'tetanus', 'hepatitis B', 'rotavirus', 'Japanese encephalitis', 'typhoid', 'human papillomavirus', 'rubella'], 'Lalitpur': ['measles-rubella', 'pneumonia', 'tuberculosis', 'diphtheria', 'pertussis', 'tetanus', 'hepatitis B', 'rotavirus', 'Japanese encephalitis', 'typhoid', 'human papillomavirus', 'rubella'], 'Morang': ['measles-rubella', 'pneumonia', 'tuberculosis', 'diphtheria', 'pertussis', 'tetanus', 'hepatitis B', 'rotavirus', 'Japanese encephalitis', 'typhoid', 'human papillomavirus', 'rubella'], 'Parsa': ['measles-rubella', 'pneumonia', 'tuberculosis', 'diphtheria', 'pertussis', 'tetanus', 'hepatitis B', 'rotavirus', 'Japanese encephalitis', 'typhoid', 'human papillomavirus', 'rubella'], 'Siraha': ['measles-rubella', 'pneumonia', 'tuberculosis', 'diphtheria', 'pertussis', 'tetanus', 'hepatitis B', 'rotavirus', 'Japanese encephalitis', 'typhoid', 'human papillomavirus', 'rubella'], 'Tanahun': ['measles-rubella', 'pneumonia', 'tuberculosis', 'diphtheria', 'pertussis', 'tetanus', 'hepatitis B', 'rotavirus', 'Japanese encephalitis', 'typhoid', 'human papillomavirus', 'rubella']}
| null | null |
https://kathmandupost.com/health/2025/09/11/world-famous-architect-s-signature-health-ministry-building-damaged-in-fire
|
2025-09-14 20:22:00
|
kathmandu_post
|
2025-09-14
|
World-famous architect’s signature health ministry building damaged in fire
|
Post Report
|
2025-09-11
|
Kathmandu
|
A building of the Ministry of Health and Population, designed by the world-famous American architect Louis I Kahn, has been damaged after protesters set it on fire on Tuesday.
The building, completed in 1965, was originally constructed for the use of the Family Planning and Maternal Child Welfare Programme. The structure, which features two isometric brick blocks, a deep vertical window recess, and a rooftop parapet with sky-framing apertures, is among the few architectural masterpieces of the country.
“The building is our unique architectural treasure,” said Dr Baburam Marasini, former director at the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division. “Architecture students from the world’s prestigious universities used to visit this site to study Kahn’s designs until a few years ago.”
The building endured the 1988 and 2015 mega earthquakes. Protesters during the 1979, 1990 and 2006 uprisings had spared the building.
“I am deeply shocked by the damage protesters have inflicted on state properties,” said Marasini. “I witnessed the burning of the Singha Durbar in 1973, which was an accident. Several other protests—the 1979 student movement, the 1990 peoples movement, the Maoist insurgency and the 2015 mega earthquake—had not damaged the structure, but it gave in to the Gen-Z protest.”
|
Building Damage
|
Protest Damage to Architectural Landmark
|
['Ministry of Health and Population' 'Louis I Kahn' 'protesters'
'architectural treasure' 'state properties']
| -0.8
|
Negative
|
[]
|
[]
|
['Family Planning and Maternal Child Welfare Programme'
'Epidemiology and Disease Control Division']
|
['Louis I Kahn' 'Dr Baburam Marasini']
|
['Ministry of Health and Population']
|
[]
|
[]
| 1,296
| 0
| 2
| 2
| 1
| 0
| 0
| 0
|
{'Family Planning and Maternal Child Welfare Programme': 'Neutral', 'Epidemiology and Disease Control Division': 'Neutral'}
|
{'Louis I Kahn': 'Neutral', 'Dr Baburam Marasini': 'Negative'}
| null |
{}
|
{'Family Planning and Maternal Child Welfare Programme': 0, 'Epidemiology and Disease Control Division': 0}
|
{'Louis I Kahn': 0, 'Dr Baburam Marasini': -0.7}
| null |
{}
|
Both
|
{'disease1 name': 'not addressed'}
|
['Ministry of Health and Population']
| 1
|
{
"locations": {}
}
| null | null |
https://kathmandupost.com/health/2025/09/26/550-000-doses-of-cholera-vaccine-arrive-more-coming-today
|
2025-09-26 07:06:00
|
kathmandu_post
|
2025-09-26
|
550,000 doses of cholera vaccine arrive. More coming today
|
Post Report
|
2025-09-26
|
Kathmandu
|
Nepal on Thursday received 550,000 doses of anti-cholera vaccine from the Unicef and the World Health Organisation.
Of the 1,018,100 doses the organisations committed to supply for the containment of the cholera, which has been spread since the first week of August in Birgunj Metropolitan City, and adjoining local units of Parsa and Bara districts, the remaining doses will arrive on Friday.
“We received 550,000 doses of cholera vaccine today [Thursday],” said Dr Abhiyan Gautam, chief of the Immunisation Section at the Family Welfare Division under the Department of Health Services. “The remaining doses of the vaccine will arrive on Friday.”
Cholera is a highly infectious disease that causes severe diarrhoea and vomiting, which can lead to dehydration and death within a few hours if left untreated. The National Public Health Laboratory, which carried out tests on stool samples of the infected people, confirmed that Vibrio cholerae o1 Ogawa serotype is responsible for the outbreak.
At least four people have died and over 1,500 others have been hospitalised in the two districts since last month. New cases are resurging in the local units of Parsa district including Birgunj Metropolitan City. Health officials said the number of new infections has quadrupled in the past week.
Amid rising cases, the hospital administration has asked the provincial government to manage additional health workers. Officials say medics deputed earlier to assist the hospital have already returned.
Health officials say that with increased rainfall and a halt to the door-to-door campaign due to unrest caused by Gen Z protests, cholera cases have begun rising again.
Officials say all people above one year of age from all municipalities of Parsa district and six adjoining municipalities in Bara district, the areas hardest hit by the outbreak, will be administered with oral cholera vaccine immediately after the Dashain holidays.
“Vaccination will be launched after Dashain only,” said Gautam.
Public health experts say the Birgunj outbreak is the largest since the Jajarkot epidemic in 2009. Sixteen years ago, the far-western district of Jajarkot saw a major cholera outbreak that killed several and infected hundreds. They say the Birgunj outbreak exposes critical gaps in the government’s preparedness and response system, and water and sanitation conditions.
Experts are particularly alarmed by both the severity of the outbreak and the deaths it has caused.
Nepal often witnesses outbreaks of water- and food-borne diseases, including cholera, during the monsoon season as floodwaters contaminate most of the drinking water sources.
Last year, at least 95 cholera cases were confirmed in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Jajarkot, Pyuthan, Makawanpur, Rolpa, Sindhupalchok, Achham, and Rautahat districts. The health ministry administered cholera vaccine to people from the affected areas of Kapilvastu, Rautahat, and Kathmandu a few years ago to halt the spread of the disease.
Poor sanitation and hygiene make the country highly vulnerable to waterborne diseases, including diarrhoea, dysentery, typhoid, hepatitis, and cholera, especially in the monsoon season, according to doctors.
They say the risk of waterborne diseases will not decrease until the water and sanitation conditions improve, and people get safe drinking water. Several other factors, including storage conditions, supply pipes, and pollution of water sources, also determine the quality of water supplied to households.
The World Health Organisation says cholera is a global threat to public health, and a multifaceted approach is the key to controlling the disease and reducing deaths.
|
Cholera Outbreak in Nepal
|
Vaccination Efforts and Government Response
|
['cholera vaccine' 'Unicef' 'World Health Organisation' 'Nepal'
'Birgunj Metropolitan City' 'Parsa district' 'Bara district']
| 0.6
|
Negative
|
['cholera' 'diarrhoea' 'dysentery' 'typhoid' 'hepatitis']
|
[]
|
['Unicef' 'World Health Organisation' 'Department of Health Services'
'National Public Health Laboratory']
|
['Abhiyan Gautam']
|
['Nepal' 'Birgunj Metropolitan City' 'Parsa' 'Bara' 'Jajarkot' 'Kathmandu'
'Lalitpur' 'Pyuthan' 'Makawanpur' 'Rolpa' 'Sindhupalchok' 'Achham'
'Rautahat' 'Kapilvastu']
|
['anti-cholera vaccine' 'oral cholera vaccine']
|
[]
| 3,652
| 5
| 1
| 4
| 14
| 0
| 2
| 0
|
{'Department of Health Services': 'Neutral', 'National Public Health Laboratory': 'Neutral', 'Unicef': 'Positive', 'World Health Organisation': 'Positive'}
|
{'Abhiyan Gautam': 'Neutral'}
|
{}
|
{}
|
{'Department of Health Services': 0.2, 'National Public Health Laboratory': 0.2, 'Unicef': 0.8, 'World Health Organisation': 0.8}
|
{'Abhiyan Gautam': 0}
|
{}
|
{}
|
Physical
|
{'cholera': 'addressed', 'diarrhoea': 'not addressed', 'dysentery': 'not addressed', 'hepatitis': 'not addressed', 'typhoid': 'not addressed'}
|
['Birgunj Metropolitan City', 'Parsa district', 'Bara district', 'Kathmandu', 'Lalitpur', 'Jajarkot', 'Pyuthan', 'Makawanpur', 'Rolpa', 'Sindhupalchok', 'Achham', 'Rautahat', 'Kapilvastu']
| 13
|
{'Achham': ['cholera'], 'Bara': ['cholera'], 'Jajarkot': ['cholera'], 'Kapilvastu': ['cholera'], 'Kathmandu': ['cholera'], 'Lalitpur': ['cholera'], 'Makwanpur': ['cholera'], 'Parsa': ['cholera'], 'Pyuthan': ['cholera'], 'Rautahat': ['cholera'], 'Rolpa': ['cholera'], 'Sindhupalchok': ['cholera']}
| null | null |
https://kathmandupost.com/health/2025/09/23/new-cholera-cases-quadruple-within-days-in-parsa
|
2025-09-24 07:09:00
|
kathmandu_post
|
2025-09-26
|
Cholera cases jump in Parsa district
|
Arjun Poudel
|
2025-09-23
|
Kathmandu
|
A new infection of cholera, a deadly waterborne disease that first broke out in the first week of August, is starting to resurge in the local units of Parsa district including in Birgunj Metropolitan City.
Health officials serving in the district said the number of new infections has risen fourfold in the last few days.
“The number of new cases had declined to around six-seven until a few days ago,” said Jayamod Thakur, an official at the Health Office, Parsa. “But the number rose to 28 yesterday [Monday]. Hospitals are reporting a surge of new cases.”
Cholera is a highly infectious disease that causes severe diarrhoea and vomiting, which can lead to dehydration and death within a few hours if left untreated. The National Public Health Laboratory, which carried out tests on stool samples of the infected people, confirmed that Vibrio cholerae o1 Ogawa serotype is responsible for the outbreak.
So far, at least four people have died and over 1,500 others hospitalised. Health officials working in the disease-hit areas say a dozen people are getting infected with the potentially fatal disease every day and it is still out of control despite their efforts.
“We had 24 new cases on Sunday, 14 on Monday and already seven cases this morning [Tuesday],” said Dr Chuman lal Das, superintendent at the Birgunj-based Narayani Hospital. “We are preparing to run a separate gastro ward to address the growing number of cholera patients.”
With cases of cholera infection surging again, the hospital administration has sought help from the provincial government to manage additional human resources. Officials say that medics deputed earlier to assist the hospital have already returned.
“Yes, Narayani Hospital has asked for more manpower from the provincial government,” said Thakur. “Besides, we have also sought help from religious leaders of the district for help with the awareness campaign.”
Health officials say that with an increase in rainfall and a halt to the door-to-door campaign due to the unrest caused by Gen-Z protest, infection of cholera started to rise again.
“We have decided to deploy health workers in the door-to-door campaign, teach chlorination techniques to locals and motivate them for a behavioural change,” said Thakur. “Along with this, we have also requested religious leaders to ask people of their respective faiths to drink only safe water.”
Public health experts say the Birgunj outbreak is the largest since the Jajarkot epidemic in 2009. Sixteen years ago, the far-western district of Jajarkot saw a major cholera outbreak that killed several and infected hundreds.
They say the Birgunj outbreak exposes critical gaps in the government’s preparedness and response system, and water and sanitation conditions.
Experts are particularly alarmed by both the severity of the outbreak and the deaths it has caused.
Nepal often witnesses outbreaks of water- and food-borne diseases, including cholera, during the monsoon season as floodwaters contaminate most of the drinking water sources.
Last year, at least 95 cholera cases were confirmed in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Jajarkot, Pyuthan, Makawanpur, Rolpa, Sindhupalchok, Achham, and Rautahat districts. The health ministry administered cholera vaccine to people from the affected areas of Kapilvastu, Rautahat, and Kathmandu a few years ago to halt the spread of the disease.
Poor sanitation and hygiene make the country highly vulnerable to waterborne diseases, including diarrhoea, dysentery, typhoid, hepatitis, and cholera, especially in the monsoon season, according to doctors.
They say the risk of waterborne diseases will not decrease until the water and sanitation conditions improve, and people get safe drinking water. Several other factors, including storage conditions, supply pipes, and pollution of water sources, also determine the quality of water supplied to households.
The World Health Organisation says cholera is a global threat to public health, and a multifaceted approach is the key to controlling the disease and reducing deaths.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Population said they are preparing to administer the anti-cholera vaccine in the disease hit areas. Officials say that over 1.18 million people in Parsa and Bara districts will be inoculated in a mass vaccination drive set to start upon the arrival of doses, possibly within days.
The Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunisation, the Global Task Force on Cholera Control, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the World Health Organisation and the United Nations Children’s Fund have all agreed to support vaccine delivery and immunisation.
|
Cholera Outbreak
|
Resurgence in Parsa District
|
['cholera' 'Parsa district' 'Birgunj Metropolitan City'
'waterborne disease' 'Vibrio cholerae' 'outbreak' 'Nepal' 'public health']
| -0.8
|
Negative
|
['cholera' 'diarrhoea' 'dysentery' 'typhoid' 'hepatitis']
|
['Narayani Hospital']
|
['National Public Health Laboratory' 'Ministry of Health and Population'
'Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunisation'
'Global Task Force on Cholera Control'
'International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies'
'World Health Organisation' 'United Nations Children’s Fund']
|
['Jayamod Thakur' 'Dr Chuman lal Das']
|
['Parsa district' 'Birgunj Metropolitan City' 'Jajarkot' 'Kathmandu'
'Lalitpur' 'Pyuthan' 'Makawanpur' 'Rolpa' 'Sindhupalchok' 'Achham'
'Rautahat' 'Nepal' 'Kapilvastu' 'Bara']
|
['anti-cholera vaccine']
|
[]
| 4,650
| 5
| 2
| 7
| 14
| 0
| 1
| 1
|
{'Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunisation': 'Positive', 'Global Task Force on Cholera Control': 'Positive', 'International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies': 'Positive', 'Ministry of Health and Population': 'Neutral', 'National Public Health Laboratory': 'Neutral', 'United Nations Children’s Fund': 'Positive', 'World Health Organisation': 'Positive'}
|
{'Dr Chuman lal Das': 'Neutral', 'Jayamod Thakur': 'Neutral'}
|
{}
|
{'Narayani Hospital': 'Neutral'}
|
{'Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunisation': 0.8, 'Global Task Force on Cholera Control': 0.8, 'International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies': 0.8, 'Ministry of Health and Population': 0, 'National Public Health Laboratory': 0, 'United Nations Children’s Fund': 0.8, 'World Health Organisation': 0.8}
|
{'Dr Chuman lal Das': 0, 'Jayamod Thakur': 0}
|
{}
|
{'Narayani Hospital': 0}
|
Physical
|
{'cholera': 'addressed', 'diarrhoea': 'not addressed', 'dysentery': 'not addressed', 'hepatitis': 'not addressed', 'typhoid': 'not addressed'}
|
['Parsa district', 'Birgunj Metropolitan City', 'Kathmandu', 'Lalitpur', 'Jajarkot', 'Pyuthan', 'Makawanpur', 'Rolpa', 'Sindhupalchok', 'Achham', 'Rautahat districts', 'Kapilvastu', 'Bara districts']
| 13
|
{'Achham': ['cholera'], 'Bara': ['cholera'], 'Jajarkot': ['cholera'], 'Kapilvastu': ['cholera'], 'Kathmandu': ['cholera'], 'Lalitpur': ['cholera'], 'Makwanpur': ['cholera'], 'Parsa': ['cholera'], 'Pyuthan': ['cholera'], 'Rautahat': ['cholera'], 'Rolpa': ['cholera'], 'Sindhupalchok': ['cholera']}
| null | null |
https://kathmandupost.com/health/2025/09/22/health-workers-warn-of-malaria-and-dengue-surge-after-festive-season
|
2025-09-22 18:56:00
|
kathmandu_post
|
2025-09-26
|
Health workers warn of malaria and dengue surge after festive season
|
Post Report
|
2025-09-22
|
Kathmandu
|
The Epidemiology and Disease Control Division has alerted health workers serving at the health desks set up at international border crossings and other places about the risk of looming malaria and dengue outbreaks.
Officials say that thousands of migrant workers return home from India during Dashain and Tihar festivals, and some of them could also import malaria unknowingly. The 15-day Dashain, Nepal’s biggest festival, began Monday.
Similarly, as the post-monsoon season, which is a peak dengue season, is set to start, the risk of dengue increases.
“We are already struggling to contain the spread of malaria and dengue,” said Dr Chandra Bhal Jha, director at the division. “Many Nepalis work as migrant workers in India and some of them could have been infected with malaria. As malaria spreading mosquitoes are already present in the country, the risk of outbreak is high.”
Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites. Infected female Anopheles mosquitoes carry these deadly parasites, according to the World Health Organisation.
Nepal has already missed its malaria elimination deadline multiple times, and it has now been postponed to 2030.
Officials say new cases of both indigenous and imported malaria continue to rise each year, and with both existing and emerging challenges, experts are sceptical about the country’s ability to eliminate the disease even within the next five years. Open borders, global movements and mosquitoes moving to higher altitudes due to climate change pose challenges to the elimination goal, they said.
This year, around a dozen cases of indigenous cases of malaria infection have been reported.
Indigenous malaria cases are locally transmitted as infected persons do not have a history of travel to malaria-affected countries.
Meanwhile imported cases are those in people with a history of travel to malaria-hit areas or countries.
To eliminate malaria, the country should bring down indigenous cases or local transmission of the disease to zero, achieve zero deaths from 2023, and sustain zero cases for three consecutive years, according to the World Health Organisation.
Of the total imported cases, over 80 percent have come from India. Due to proximity, and an open and porous border between Nepal and India and unregulated travel of people of both countries, it is impossible to eliminate malaria here in Nepal, until the disease gets eliminated in India, said experts.
The problem is not only that Nepali migrant workers get infected in various cities of India, but also Nepali peacekeepers serving in various African nations, who bring the disease home, where it later becomes indigenous due to transmission from local vectors.
This year, three deaths and around 5,000 cases of dengue infection have been reported in Nepal since January. The disease has spread to 74 of the country’s 77 districts.
Dengue is a viral disease transmitted by female Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. According to the World Health Organisation, the same vector also transmits chikungunya, yellow fever, and the Zika virus.
Dengue mosquitoes breed in clean water and bite during daytime. Uncovered water tanks and discarded objects such as plastic cups and bottles can serve as breeding grounds.
In 2024, 15 people died, and 41,865 others were infected as the virus spread to 76 districts. In 2023, 88 persons died and more than 54,000 were infected by the virus, which had spread to all 77 districts. At the time, hospitals in Kathmandu Valley were overwhelmed with dengue patients, and pharmacies had run out of paracetamol, the most widely used medicine to treat fever.
Experts say reported cases may represent only a small fraction of the true scale of infection, as around 90 percent of the infected people are asymptomatic, and many deaths and infections often go unreported.
Symptoms of the disease include mild to high fever, severe muscle pain, rashes, severe headache and pain in the eyes, among other things. Doctors advise those with these symptoms to seek immediate treatment. While there is no specific cure for the disease, early detection and access to proper medical care can lower fatalities.
Many people infected with dengue show mild symptoms, which do not need any treatment or can be managed with paracetamol at home.
Since dengue became endemic in Nepal years ago, meaning people get infected throughout the year, health officials no longer classify it as an outbreak of a deadly virus.
In the worst-case scenario, over 60,000 people could get infected with the dengue virus in the next three months, according to a projection prepared by the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division.
Doctors say that, along with launching a search-and-destroy drive on a regular basis, authorities should also focus on strengthening the capacity of health facilities to prevent them from being overwhelmed in the event of a possible massive outbreak, experts say.
Nepal reported its first dengue case in a foreigner in 2004 in Chitwan district. Since then, an increasing number of dengue infections, including major outbreaks, have been reported from many districts.
The World Health Organisation says there is no specific cure for severe dengue, but early detection and access to proper medical care can save lives.
|
Malaria and Dengue Outbreaks
|
Risks and Challenges in Nepal
|
['malaria' 'dengue' 'outbreaks' 'Nepal' 'India' 'migrant workers'
'public health' 'disease control']
| 0.6
|
Negative
|
['malaria' 'dengue' 'chikungunya' 'yellow fever' 'Zika virus']
|
[]
|
['Epidemiology and Disease Control Division' 'World Health Organisation']
|
['Dr Chandra Bhal Jha']
|
['Nepal' 'India' 'African nations' 'Kathmandu Valley' 'Chitwan district']
|
['paracetamol']
|
[]
| 5,267
| 5
| 1
| 2
| 5
| 0
| 1
| 0
|
{'Epidemiology and Disease Control Division': 'Neutral', 'World Health Organisation': 'Positive'}
|
{'Dr Chandra Bhal Jha': 'Neutral'}
|
{'Dengue Control': 'Negative', 'Malaria Elimination': 'Negative'}
|
{'Nepal': 'Neutral'}
|
{'Epidemiology and Disease Control Division': 0, 'World Health Organisation': 0.8}
|
{'Dr Chandra Bhal Jha': 0}
|
{'Dengue Control': -0.8, 'Malaria Elimination': -0.9}
|
{'Nepal': 0}
|
Physical
|
{'Zika virus': 'not addressed', 'chikungunya': 'not addressed', 'dengue': 'addressed', 'malaria': 'addressed', 'yellow fever': 'not addressed'}
|
['Nepal', 'India', 'African nations', 'Kathmandu Valley', 'Chitwan district']
| 5
|
{'Chitwan': ['dengue']}
| null | null |
https://kathmandupost.com/health/2025/09/22/cholera-vaccine-may-arrive-within-a-week
|
2025-09-22 07:08:00
|
kathmandu_post
|
2025-09-26
|
Cholera vaccine may arrive within a week
|
Post Report
|
2025-09-22
|
Kathmandu
|
Residents of Birgunj Metropolitan City, along with several local units of Parsa and Bara districts, are all set to be inoculated with an anti-cholera vaccine, as preparation to import doses at the earliest are in full swing.
Officials at the Family Welfare Division under the Department of Health Services said they have applied to the Department of Drug Administration, the national drug regulator, for approval to import the vaccine, and they expect the shipment to arrive before the Dashain festival, which is just over a week away.
“We have done our homework to administer the vaccine doses to at-risk populations,” said Dr Bibek Kumar Lal, director at the division. “We expect the arrival of vaccine doses before Dashain. Only the approval for vaccine import remains, and we have already started the process.”
Cholera is a highly infectious disease that causes severe diarrhoea and vomiting, which can lead to dehydration and death within a few hours if left untreated. The National Public Health Laboratory, which carried out testing on stool samples of the infected people, confirmed that Vibrio cholerae o1 Ogawa serotype is responsible for the outbreak.
At least four people have died and over 1,400 were infected from cholera outbreak in the first week of August in Birgunj metropolis and adjoining local units, and neighbouring Bara district.
Health authorities reached the conclusion that spread of infection could continue if vaccination is not started. Around a dozen people are still getting infected and hospitalised every day in the disease hit areas, according to health officials.
“Vaccination is an effective and proven method for the control of cholera,” said Lal. “Not only the government but also international aid agencies have agreed to vaccination and offered help for containment.”
The Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunisation, Global Task Force on Cholera Control, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the World Health Organisation and the United Nations Children’s Fund have all agreed to support vaccine delivery and immunisation.
“We have done our part and are ready to begin the campaign as soon as the doses arrive,” said Dr Abhiyan Gautam, chief of the Immunisation Section at the Family Welfare Division under the Department of Health Services. “Over 1.8 million people from affected areas of Parsa and Bara districts will be inoculated.”
Alongside preparations for mass vaccination, several measures, including door-to-door awareness campaigns and the distribution of educational materials, have been launched in the affected areas, according to officials. Several teams of federal, provincial and local health workers, and the WHO are all working on the ground to help contain the outbreak.
Public health experts say the Birgunj outbreak is the largest since the Jajarkot epidemic in 2009. Sixteen years ago, the far-western district saw a major cholera outbreak that killed several and infected hundreds.
Experts say that the Birgunj outbreak exposes critical gaps in the government’s preparedness and response system, and water and sanitation conditions.
Experts are particularly alarmed by both the severity of the outbreak and the deaths it has caused.
Nepal often witnesses outbreaks of water- and food-borne diseases, including cholera, during the monsoon season as floodwaters contaminate most of the drinking water sources.
Last year, at least 95 cholera cases were confirmed in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Jajarkot, Pyuthan, Makawanpur, Rolpa, Sindhupalchok, Achham, and Rautahat districts. The health ministry administered cholera vaccine to people from affected areas of Kapilvastu, Rautahat, and Kathmandu a few years ago to contain the further spread of the disease.
Experts say poor sanitation and hygiene make the country highly vulnerable to waterborne diseases, including diarrhoea, dysentery, typhoid, hepatitis, and cholera, especially in the monsoon season.
They say the risk of waterborne diseases will not decrease until the water and sanitation conditions improve, and people get safe drinking water. Several other factors, including storage conditions, supply pipes, and pollution of water sources, also impact the quality of water supplied to households.
The World Health Organisation says cholera is a global threat to public health, and a multifaceted approach is key to controlling the disease and reducing deaths.
|
Cholera Outbreak
|
Vaccination Efforts
|
['Cholera' 'Vaccination' 'Nepal' 'Birgunj' 'Outbreak' 'Public Health']
| 0.5
|
Neutral
|
['cholera' 'diarrhoea' 'dysentery' 'typhoid' 'hepatitis']
|
[]
|
['Department of Health Services' 'Family Welfare Division'
'Department of Drug Administration'
'Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunisation'
'Global Task Force on Cholera Control'
'International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies'
'World Health Organisation' 'United Nations Children’s Fund']
|
['Dr Bibek Kumar Lal' 'Dr Abhiyan Gautam']
|
['Birgunj Metropolitan City' 'Parsa' 'Bara' 'Jajarkot' 'Kathmandu'
'Lalitpur' 'Pyuthan' 'Makawanpur' 'Rolpa' 'Sindhupalchok' 'Achham'
'Rautahat' 'Nepal']
|
['anti-cholera vaccine']
|
[]
| 4,405
| 5
| 2
| 8
| 13
| 0
| 1
| 0
|
{'Department of Drug Administration': 'Positive', 'Department of Health Services': 'Positive', 'Family Welfare Division': 'Positive', 'Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunisation': 'Positive', 'Global Task Force on Cholera Control': 'Positive', 'International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies': 'Positive', 'United Nations Children’s Fund': 'Positive', 'World Health Organisation': 'Positive'}
|
{'Dr Abhiyan Gautam': 'Positive', 'Dr Bibek Kumar Lal': 'Positive'}
|
{'Cholera Vaccine': 'Positive', 'Government Preparedness and Response System Reform': 'Negative', 'Water and Sanitation Conditions Improvement': 'Negative'}
|
{'Department of Health Services': 'Positive', 'National Public Health Laboratory': 'Neutral', 'United Nations Children’s Fund': 'Positive', 'World Health Organisation': 'Positive'}
|
{'Department of Drug Administration': 0.8, 'Department of Health Services': 0.8, 'Family Welfare Division': 0.9, 'Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunisation': 0.9, 'Global Task Force on Cholera Control': 0.9, 'International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies': 0.8, 'United Nations Children’s Fund': 0.8, 'World Health Organisation': 0.9}
|
{'Dr Abhiyan Gautam': 1, 'Dr Bibek Kumar Lal': 1}
|
{'Cholera Vaccine': 1, 'Government Preparedness and Response System Reform': -1, 'Water and Sanitation Conditions Improvement': -1}
|
{'Department of Health Services': 0.8, 'National Public Health Laboratory': 0, 'United Nations Children’s Fund': 0.9, 'World Health Organisation': 0.9}
|
Physical
|
{'cholera': 'addressed', 'diarrhoea': 'not addressed', 'dysentery': 'not addressed', 'hepatitis': 'not addressed', 'typhoid': 'not addressed'}
|
['Birgunj Metropolitan City', 'Parsa district', 'Bara district', 'Kapilvastu', 'Rautahat', 'Kathmandu', 'Lalitpur', 'Jajarkot', 'Pyuthan', 'Makawanpur', 'Rolpa', 'Sindhupalchok', 'Achham']
| 13
|
{'Achham': ['cholera'], 'Bara': ['cholera'], 'Jajarkot': ['cholera'], 'Kapilvastu': ['cholera'], 'Kathmandu': ['cholera', 'diarrhoea', 'dysentery', 'typhoid', 'hepatitis'], 'Lalitpur': ['cholera'], 'Makawanpur': ['cholera'], 'Parsa': ['cholera'], 'Pyuthan': ['cholera'], 'Rautahat': ['cholera'], 'Rolpa': ['cholera'], 'Sindhupalchok': ['cholera']}
| null | null |
End of preview. Expand
in Data Studio
README.md exists but content is empty.
- Downloads last month
- 64