WHO warns Nepal Government, public to take anti-Ebola precautionary steps

World Health Organisation (WHO) officials in Nepal have advised the Government of Nepal and the general public to take all precautionary steps to prevent the spread of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

Speaking at an interaction, WHO officials were quoted by nepalnews, as saying that the government and other stakeholders should work together to promote awareness and safety programmes on Ebola transmission and its prevention.

They said that one of the leading causes of the Ebola outbreak and its eventual spread in some African countries was negligence.

Therefore, it is essential that the public are made aware of preventive measures they can follow to help prevent the spread of the deadly disease, the WHO officials said.

They called for the setting up of various check points in different entry points across the country, to screen visitors entering Nepal from the affected countries.

Medical and laboratory tests will be provided at the Bir Hospital and Shukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, Teku, they added.

According to the WHO, Ebola viruses are World Health Organization Risk Group 4 Pathogens, requiring Biosafety Level 4-equivalent containment, which is not available in Nepal.

Experts say some research institutions in Nepal are equipped with BSL-2 lab facilities, which the government could utilize.

Ebola is a severe acute viral illness. The symptoms of EVD are sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. The symptoms are usually followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function, and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding.

According to WHO, Ebola outbreaks have a case fatality rate of up to 90 percent.