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Published Date: 2012-10-03 19:33:50
Subject: PRO/EDR> Influenza (96): Nepal (KT) H1N1pdm9
Archive Number: 20121003.1322298

INFLUENZA (96): NEPAL (KATMANDU), H1N1PDM9
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Date: Wed 3 Oct 2012
Source: The Global Times (via Xinhua) [edited]
http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/736422.shtml

Swine flu virus, called pandemic influenza A(H1N1)pdm9, has been detected in the Nepali capital and 3 other districts outside the capital, doctors at the Sukraraj Tropical & Infectious Disease Hospital in Kathmandu said Wednesday [3 Oct 2012]. Doctors confirmed the outbreak of swine flu virus [infection] after the virus was detected in blood samples collected in the capital and the country's mid-western districts of Chitwan, Sindhuli and Khotang. Prior to this outbreak, H1N1 virus was seen in Nepal in 2009.

Doctor Gita Shakya, director of the National Public Health Laboratory of Kathmandu, said that people don't have to be worried about the disease as it can be cured if found in the preliminary stage. Dr. Shakya said the reason behind the resurgence of the virus in Nepal is that several districts of the country have recently been suffering from [an unidentified] viral fever.

Doctors said so far over a dozen people died due to viral fever outbreaks in Nepal. "Of the total 24 deaths from viral fever, some of them might have died due to late diagnosis of the swine flu virus," Dr. Shakya said. According to Dr. Shakya, they have detected the swine flu virus [on the basis of] laboratory tests employing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology rather than tests based on rapid kits.

Dr. Sher Bahadur Pun at the Infectious Disease Hospital said some patients have also been diagnosed with both types of influenza A and B influenza virus. The virus usually strikes children and young people who have low immune capability against minor diseases. In 2009, over 40 people were killed during the outbreak of the virus in Nepal.

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Communicated by:
Lisa J. Krain
PhD Student, Department of Epidemiology
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Baltimore
USA
<lkrain@jhsph.edu>

[Lisa Krain has appended the comment that although this press report concerns an outbreak of influenza A/(H1N1)pdm9 influenza in the capital of Nepal and its surroundings, it may be that similar outbreaks of H1N1 pandemic influenza may in part have been responsible for the recent spate of reports of undiagnosed "viral fevers" elsewhere in Nepal. These are recorded in the ProMED-mail posts listed below. Further information would be welcomed.

The ProMED/HealthMap interactive map of Nepal can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/1q5H. - Mod.CP]

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