Swine flu alert on Nepal’s borders with India and China
Kathmandu (AsiaNews) – People living along Nepal’s borders are on alert for the swine flu. As a result of the growing number of A-H1N1 cases reported in neighbouring China and India, residents in Nepal’s border regions are increasingly concerned, many accusing the government in Kathmandu of not taking measures to prevent the spread of the virus into the mountain nation.
About two months ago the director of the District Disease Control did announce the setting up of special health desks to monitor border points for swine flu. However, not much has been done yet.
Mahendra Chaudhary, acting chief of the District Public Health Office in Kakarbhitta (Jhapa district), said that he was still waiting for instructions.
Premchandra Jaisawal, point person for the Swine Flu Programme in the District Public Health Office in Raxaul (Parsa), also said that control measures had not been tightened.
In the districts of Morang and Rupandehi people are more optimistic and expect personnel from the Swine Flu Programme to come very soon. But with about 5,000 people crossing into Nepal from India every day, concern is warranted.
In neighbouring India authorities the State of Bihar (which borders on Nepal) have already mobilised Rapid Response Teams to conduct regular checks.
In China at least 441 people have already tested positive for the virus; another 68 have been infected in India.
“We are working for such prevention not only on bordering areas but also at some of the major transit points, including airport,” the Secretary to the Health Ministry Dhirgha Singh Bam said.
“We are a bit late because of the new government formation. The new Minister will surely take some initiative in this regard,” he added.
The new government was set up after former Prime Minister Prachanda resigned in early May and has been slow in achieving the necessary stability to get down to work.
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21/05/2009
