Nepal issues high alert for A/H1N1 flu

Tuesday, 30 June 2009

KATHMANDU, June 30 (Xinhua) -- With the record of its first three cases of A/H1N1 flu, the government of Nepal Tuesday issued high alert status in hospitals nationwide.

A health official takes the body temperature of a monk arriving at Tribhuwan International airport in Kathmandu June 30, 2009. Nepal confirmed on Monday its first cases of H1N1 flu virus, in three members of a family who had returned from the United States, the Himalayan nation's health ministry said. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

As per the primary security program, the government has deployed rapid response team in the hospitals for the identification of A/H1N1 virus.

Director of the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division Dr Senendra Raj Upreti said they have deployed 40 rapid response teams throughout the country.

A health official takes the body temperatures of arriving travellers at Tribhuwan International airport in Kathmandu June 30, 2009. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Likewise, security has been beefed up at the Tribhuvan International Airport in the capital Kathmandu.

Health desk has been stationed at border entry points with high alert, said Dr Manas Kumar Banerjee coordinator of Avian Influenza Control Project of Epidemiology and Disease Control Division under Ministry of Health.

According to Dr Banerjee, Tamiflu medicine that can be used for the virus treatment has been kept in surplus in the hospitals outside the capital.

On Monday, the National Health Officials confirmed the A/H1N1 flu in the country as three persons have been infected for the first time in Nepal, since the A/H1N1 emerged nearly three months ago in Mexico.