Infectious Disease Risk Seen in Bhote Koshi Flood Affected Areas

Kathmandu. Infectious disease risk has been seen in the Bhote Koshi flood affected areas. Colds and diarrhea have started to spread in the affected local levels of Rasuwa, Nuwakot, etc. According to the Ministry of Health and Population, in terms of the number of patients, fever and cold patients have been seen the most, reaching its peak at 66 on Bhadra 23. Normal fever patients reached the highest at 20 on Bhadra 21. Diarrhea patients reached up to 9 on Bhadra 18 and 19. Patients with fever and rash were found 4 each for 4 consecutive days on Bhadra 17, 18, and 19. According to updated details, based on symptom-based surveillance conducted at the holding centers and health institutions in the affected areas of Rasuwa district, the number of patients with fever and fever with cough has been found to be high in the last 10 days. According to the data from Bhadra 21 to 30, up to 22 patients with fever and cough have been registered. During the same period, only up to 3 diarrhea patients were found. Patients with fever and rash have been confirmed up to a maximum of 2. A total of 204 people have been kept in 9 holding centers operated in various places in Rasuwa. Among them, 47 are in Shivalaya Basic School in Uttargaya-5, 37 in Bhimsensthan Primary School, 19 in Ganesh Residential School in Uttargaya-1, and 20 in Nilkantha Secondary School in Uttargaya-5. Similarly, 54 people are in Komen Shyame Wangfel Secondary School in Gosainkunda-5 under Gosainkunda Rural Municipality, and 27 people are in Ligling Kaning Choling Monastery in Gosainkunda-3. Out of the total 204 people kept in the holding centers, 106 are men and 98 are women. Based on age groups, there are 15 people under 5 years old, 47 people between 10 to 19 years old, and 20 people above 60 years old. Similarly, there is 1 pregnant woman, 1 new mother, and 1 person with disability in the holding center. Similarly, patients with common fever and fever with cough have been seen in Nuwakot. On Bhadra 22, 13 patients with fever and 15 patients with fever and cough were found, which is the highest number during this period. Similarly, patients with diarrhea, stomach problems, and fever with rash have also been found during the same period. 'No signs of epidemic or pandemic seen' The Ministry of Health has stated that no signs of epidemic or pandemic have been seen in the affected areas so far. Spokesperson of the Ministry of Health, Yashoda Aryal, said that the ministry is engaged in the prevention of non-communicable diseases and has not seen any signs of epidemic or pandemic so far. According to Aryal, the daily monitoring of fever and diarrheal cases in the affected areas is being carried out. She said that laboratory tests of suspected cases are being conducted to confirm the infection and treatment is being provided. RDT testing for influenza, malaria, and dengue is being conducted at holding centers and communities. According to Aryal, 25 affected people are undergoing treatment. So far, 7,758 people have been provided health services. The Ministry of Health has stated that 6 emergency medical teams have been deployed in the affected areas. Aryal said, 'Teams including psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and psychosocial counselors have been mobilized in holding centers, hospitals, and affected communities to conduct group counseling and therapeutic counseling activities targeting children, adolescents, and affected families.' According to the Ministry of Health, 137 human resources have been mobilized in the affected areas. So far, 9,858 people have been provided with psychosocial counseling. According to the Ministry of Health, out of 21,600 doses of vaccine in Rasuwa, 12,999 people and out of 80,523 doses of vaccine in Nuwakot, 34,241 people have benefited from the cholera vaccine. Similarly, 7,680 doses of tetanus and filariasis vaccine have been transported to Rasuwa and 9,000 doses to Nuwakot.