Kathmandu : The Ministry of Health and Population has stated that Nepal is at risk of Mpox (monkeypox) infection.

Ministry Spokesperson Dr. Prakash Budhathoki highlighted the rapid spread of the virus in neighboring India, which poses a significant threat to Nepal as well.

Last year, a 60-year-old foreign woman was diagnosed with Mpox in Nepal. In response, the Ministry has consulted with experts to prepare for effective prevention measures.

Dr. Budhathoki noted that health desks at air and border transit points, as well as at federal, provincial, and local levels, have been instructed to stay vigilant and implement necessary precautions.

Hospitals and doctors across all seven provinces have been designated for the prevention and management of Mpox.

Recently, Congo has been grappling with Clade 1b, a particularly deadly variant of Mpox that has resulted in 548 deaths since January this year.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a health emergency due to the virus’s spread.

Mpox is transmitted through direct contact with an infected person or animal, including skin-to-skin contact with the rash or scabs, bodily fluids, or contaminated clothing, towels, and bedding.

Symptoms typically include fever, skin rash, and bumps appearing on the face, palms, and feet, along with headache, muscle and bone aches, chills, and swollen lymph nodes.

Severe cases can lead to vision loss, pneumonia, brain fever, miscarriage in pregnant women, and even death.

The Ministry is calling for strong civic cooperation in adopting health protocols to mitigate the risk.

They believe that with public readiness and adherence to preventive measures, the risk of Mpox can be effectively managed.