Kathmandu, June 1 - With the potential threat of new coronavirus variants emerging in the nation, the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division stated that they have provided field epidemiology training to more than 150 healthcare professionals.
Authorities state that these field epidemiologists will be sent out for monitoring the coronavirus, investigating outbreaks, and conducting contact tracing, as well as other tasks, should a disease surge occur.
Dr. Chandra Bhal Jha, the director of the division, stated, “We have finished the field epidemiology training for the tenth group of healthcare professionals.” He added, “Every cohort includes more than 15 healthcare providers. These trained personnel will be deployed for coronavirus monitoring should an epidemic break out within our nation’s borders.”
Authorities state that field epidemiologists serve as the initial safeguard during public health crises such as widespread infectious viral illnesses similar to coronavirus. These professionals receive training in monitoring disease patterns, investigating epidemic occurrences, analyzing statistical information, and communicating potential hazards effectively. By rigorously implementing preventive protocols, tracing origins of infections, and minimizing community health threats, they work diligently to curb the dissemination of lethal pathogens.
In the past, we lacked enough field epidemiologists, so to bridge this gap, we opted to train healthcare personnel working in government-operated medical centers," stated Jha. "Our aim is to manage these risks more effectively in the future.
Authorities expected an impending surge in infections due to a new strain of coronavirus, following the significant rise in COVID-19 cases near-by in India.
Media reports indicate that India documented 3,395 ongoing COVID-19 cases along with four new fatalities across the states of Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and the national capital territory of Delhi on Saturday. Since January, a total of 26 coronavirus-linked deaths have been reported in the country.
The country to the south has likewise verified the appearance of four additional sub-variants: NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 under Omicron, as well as XFG and JN.1.
In addition to India, multiple countries such as Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong (China), and the United States have also experienced an increase in COVID-19 infections.
The World Health Organization has categorized the NB.1.8 subvariant as one being monitored. According to the United Nations' health agency, based on current evidence, the extra public health risk presented by NB.1.8.1 is assessed as minimal globally.
The WHO statement says, "Even though there has been an simultaneous rise in infections and hospitalizations in certain countries where NB.1.8.1 is prevalent, present data does not suggest that this variant causes more serious disease compared to other circulating strains."
Specialists indicate that even if the latest coronavirus variant proves to be relatively benign, older individuals and those with pre-existing health issues could still experience serious symptoms upon infection.
They warned that the virus might enter Nepal anytime because of its close geographical location to and the movement of individuals from nations experiencing a rise in cases. In the past, the country has faced COVID-19 outbreaks following similar increases in other parts of the world.
With several years having passed since numerous individuals received the COVID-19 vaccination, authorities indicate that their immune response has diminished.
Individuals need to start being cautious and adhere to preventative actions—such as wearing facial coverings, practicing hand hygiene, and steering clear of crowded areas," stated Dr. Sher Bahadur Pun, who leads the Clinical Research Unit at Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital. "It’s crucial we protect those within our households who may be more susceptible and continue following these safety protocols. Additionally, monitoring efforts ought to be intensified, and individuals exhibiting flu-like symptoms should undergo testing for the coronavirus.
Meanwhile, officials at the Ministry of Health and Population concede low stock of rapid diagnostic test kits, reagents and vaccine doses despite the heightened risks of disease outbreak.
Given the potential threats, we are diligently tracking the progress in adjacent nations," stated Dr Tanka Barakoti, who leads the Department of Health Services. "The virus typically requires two to three weeks before it begins spreading within Nepal following an incident in India. Consequently, we have informed all relevant bodies about this concern.
Specialists are urging the relevant authorities to enhance monitoring efforts, such as administering COVID-19 tests to individuals exhibiting flu-like symptoms. Additionally, they have appealed to everyone to adhere to fundamental precautions—wearing masks, practicing hand hygiene, and steering clear of crowded areas—to minimize transmission risks.
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