Nepal: Multiple outbreaks of "viral fever" and other unidentified illnesses, August 1, 2012+, 38 cases H1N1 confirmed

[Vibrant62]

Re: Nepal: Multiple outbreaks of "viral fever" and other unidentified illnesses, August 1, 2012+

It is unfortunate that there is no identification of 'viral fever'; from the report above, it distinguishes typhoid from 'viral fever', so this suggests that typhoid diangostics are carried out. Therefore the description 'viral fever' likely excludes typhoid cases.

Some reports indicate pneumonia as well as fever and headache and the pattern of spread sounds as if a primary causative agent could be flu or similar respiratory virus. It would be helpful if they ruled flu in or out in the area and made a positive ID of the pathogen, so it can be subtyped and if necessary, genetically characterised to make sure we dont have something new that is transmitting well between humans given the rate of spread and high described attack rates.

The form of H3N2 that has circulated this season in Australia is antigenically different to the vaccine strain and seasonal H3N2 strains that have circulated in previous years, and so could be a good candidate.

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Nepal: Multiple outbreaks of "viral fever" and other unidentified illnesses, August 1, 2012+

Viral fever claims 13 lives, infects 10,000: EDCD

ARJUN POUDEL

KATHMANDU, Sept 8: Thirteen people have died and over 10,000 have been infected by the seasonal viral fever that has spread across the country for the past one month.

Officials at the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) said that hundreds of patients who have developed symptoms of the viral infection are receiving treatment in health centers across the country.



According to the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD) under the Department of Health Services (DoHS), Dailekh, Okhaldhunga, Khotang and Kanchanpur are among the most effected districts, forcing the local authorities to shut down schools to control possible spread of the disease.
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http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=41234

[Shiloh]

Re: Nepal: Multiple outbreaks of "viral fever" and other unidentified illnesses, August 1, 2012+

Source: http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/ful...&NewsID=346536

Doti falls prey to outbreak? packed with patients
Added At: 2012-09-08 10:42 PM
HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

DIPAYAL: Health facilities in Doti district are crammed with patients suffering from viral fever and typhoid.

The number of patients has gone up considerably in the past one week, health workers said. Among the worst hit areas in the district include Latamandu VDC, Silgadhi Municipality, Pipalla and Rajpur. ..

[alert]

Re: Nepal: Multiple outbreaks of "viral fever" and other unidentified illnesses, August 1, 2012+

It is unfortunate that there is no identification of 'viral fever'; from the report above, it distinguishes typhoid from 'viral fever', so this suggests that typhoid diangostics are carried out. Therefore the description 'viral fever' likely excludes typhoid cases.

Some reports indicate pneumonia as well as fever and headache and the pattern of spread sounds as if a primary causative agent could be flu or similar respiratory virus. It would be helpful if they ruled flu in or out in the area and made a positive ID of the pathogen, so it can be subtyped and if necessary, genetically characterised to make sure we dont have something new that is transmitting well between humans given the rate of spread and high described attack rates.

The form of H3N2 that has circulated this season in Australia is antigenically different to the vaccine strain and seasonal H3N2 strains that have circulated in previous years, and so could be a good candidate.

These viral fever outbreaks are typically linked to the monsoon season, so they tend to have something to do with water being where it shouldn't be. This produces breeding grounds for mosquitoes (resulting in malaria, dengue, chikungunya) and also contamination of drinking water (resulting in typhoid, dysentery, cholera, and leptospirosis).

I think the reason that they just call it "viral fever" is that no single agent is responsible for a majority of the cases, and it would be too expensive to try to diagnose every case. Typhoid gets singled out for diagnosis because it is the one diagnosis here where antibiotic treatment can make a dramatic difference in the portion of patients that survive.

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Nepal: Multiple outbreaks of "viral fever" and other unidentified illnesses, August 1, 2012+

Viral fever sweeps across Terhathum
Added At: 2012-09-08 10:46 PM Last Updated At: 2012-09-08 10:46 PM

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE
MYANGLUNG: Following the viral fever outbreak, most of the locals at the Terhathum’s Aathrai’s Iwa VDC are suffering from fever, common cold and headache.

Iwa Health Post said most of the locals have fallen prey to the disease. Senior AHW Laxman Biswokarma at the Iwa Health Post said that four persons complaining of infection and typhoid have been referred to the neighbouring Panchthar District Hospital.
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http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Viral+fever+sweeps+across+Terhathum+&NewsID=346540

Most schools closed in Okhaldhunga
Added At: 2012-09-08 10:43 PM Last Updated At: 2012-09-08 10:43 PM

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE
OKHALDHUNGA: The viral fever that broke out in Okhaldhunga district a week ago is yet to come under control, sources said.

Various VDCs including Mamkha, Ratmate, Diyale, Katunje, Mulkharka, Palapu, Rangadip, Patle, Bigutar, Sanitar have fallen prey to the outbreak. Most schools in the district have remained shut after both students and teachers were affected by viral fever.
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http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Most+schools+closed+in+Okhaldhunga&NewsID=346538

[Vibrant62]

Re: Nepal: Multiple outbreaks of "viral fever" and other unidentified illnesses, August 1, 2012+

Thanks Alert for your comment; however my point here was that although there is a considerable issue with mosquito bourne diseases (and typhoid in monsoon) the pattern of spread sounds - based on the very vague reports - like it could be infectious i.e passed from human to human and therefore worth identifying.

The reports cite entire families falling ill and in some cases almost entire villages or districts. This seems unlikely for a mosquito borne disease to have such a high attack rate, but water borne disease is possible/ probable. If the usual measures cannot bring 'viral fever' under control, we need to question what in fact this disease is.

It is clearly an unusual situation, whatever it is.

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Nepal: Multiple outbreaks of "viral fever" and other unidentified illnesses, August 1, 2012+

Viral fever epidemic rages in Mahottari villages
Added At: 2012-09-10 3:26 PM Last Updated At: 2012-09-10 3:26 PM

Health workers said mostly people of Dalit and poor settlements of the VDCs have been suffering from viral fever.
BARDIBAS: Epidemic of viral fever has gripped villages in the southern part of Mahottari district.

According to the District Health Office, Mahottari, number of viral fever patients has increased at Bathnaha, Halkhori, Bhataulia, Anakar, Ekdara and Kolhuwa Bagiya VDCs in the district.

Health Worker at the Office, Girendra Jha, said number of viral fever patients has increased at different health institutions situated in the VDCs and the District Hospital for the past five days after viral fever took the form of an epidemic.
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http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Viral+fever+epidemic+rages+in+Mahottari+villages&NewsID=346761

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Nepal: Multiple outbreaks of "viral fever" and other unidentified illnesses, August 1, 2012+

Contagious viral fever
Added At: 2012-09-10 9:46 PM Last Updated At: 2012-09-10 9:46 PM

SHRADHA PAL
Who takes viral fever seriously? Perhaps not many and the result is evident as it is becoming an epidemic. It is essential to understand that viral fever is caused due to virus.

?Viral fever is an infection caused by virus,? adds Dr Ghanshyam Kharel, Associate professor at Universal College of Medical Science, Bhairahawa. When you have viral fever, you suffer from extremely high temperature as ?virus penetrates your body and spreads through your entire system?.

Some of the symptoms that you should be careful about especially these days are high fever, burning sensation in the eyes, watery eyes, pain in the throat, cold and cough, body and muscle ache, diarrhoea, runny nose, nasal congestion, et cetera. Usually noticing these symptoms may be misunderstood as flu, but if you ignore it, it could lead to complications such as meningitis and encephalitis, which is fatal. ?But this doesn?t happen to everyone. People with less immunity are more vulnerable. Also the cause of death is uncontrollable fever, which can also result in brain damage.?
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http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Contagious+viral+fever&NewsID=346789

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Nepal: Multiple outbreaks of "viral fever" and other unidentified illnesses, August 1, 2012+

Khotang school shut after viral fever
Added At: 2012-09-11 11:15 PM Last Updated At: 2012-09-11 11:15 PM

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE
KHOTANG: After viral fever gripped most of the students, Khotang?s Jaleswori-based Simle Secondary School has announced that the school shall remain closed till September 16.

Head teacher Nir Kumar Katel said that they had to shut the school after more than half the students were taken ill due to fever.

Teacher Janak Niraula said that sick students were undergoing treatment at the local health post.
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http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Khotang+school+shut+after+viral+fever+&NewsID=346938

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Nepal: Multiple outbreaks of "viral fever" and other unidentified illnesses, August 1, 2012+

Docs' absence hits viral patients

Health assistants looking after the ill
Added At: 2012-09-13 11:19 PM Last Updated At: 2012-09-13 11:19 PM

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE
RAUTAHAT: In the absence of doctors, health assistants and assistant health workers (AHW) are treating patients suffering from viral fever in Rautahat district.

Although, Gaur District Hospital has postings for three medical officers, including one medical superintendent, it is being run by only one medical superintendent, who is mostly busy attending meetings and other programmes, locals said.

More than 20 viral cases are reported at the hospital every day.
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http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Docs'+absence+hits+viral+patients&NewsID=347197

[Pathfinder]

Nepal - Mystery disease claims four in Dhanusha

Mystery disease claims four in Dhanusha

Last Updated At: 2012-09-13 11:47 PM
The Himalayan Times -
BRIJ KUMAR YADAV

JANAKPURDHAM: Four persons have died and over 20 have taken ill in the past four days after a mysterious disease struck a Dhanusha village .

The deceased have been identified as Debo Devi Sada (45), Ful Kumari Sada (37), Dropadi Devi Sada (40) and Dropadi?s 25-year-old son Pradip Sada of Balbakhar, Badhawan Laxmipur.

According to the locals, Devo succumbed to the disease today, while Ful Kumari and Dropadi Devi and her son died on Wednesday and Monday, respectively.

?The deceased first complained of headache and pain in the eye, later they started foaming at their mouth and subsequently died,? Acting Chief District Officer Ghanashyam Nayak quoted the locals as saying.

More...

http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Mystery+disease+claims+four+in+Dhanusha&NewsID=347216

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Nepal: Multiple outbreaks of "viral fever" and other unidentified illnesses, August 1, 2012+

Schools in Khotang closed over viral epidemic
Added At: 2012-09-14 6:17 PM Last Updated At: 2012-09-14 6:17 PM

RSS
KHOTANG: Five schools in Khotang have been closed due to viral fever spread in the district for the past few days.

Many students have fallen sick and the schools here decided to close the schools for some days so as to prevent the disease from further spreading.

The sick students have symptoms like fever, dizziness and weakness. Following an epidemic of viral, the Simle Secondary School, Jaleshwi, the Shanti Lower Secondary School Badahare, the Siddha Lower Secondary School, Khotang Bazaar, the Mahendrodaya Lower Secondary School, Yamkha and the Mahendrodaya Higher Secondary School, Halesi have been closed.
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http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Schools+in+Khotang+closed+over+viral+epidemic+&NewsID=347252

[Shiloh]

Re: Nepal: Multiple outbreaks of "viral fever" and other unidentified illnesses, August 1, 2012+

Source: http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/ful...&NewsID=347547

Viral outbreak
Added At: 2012-09-16 11:06 PM
Last Updated At: 2012-09-16 11:06 PM


HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

SARLAHI: A village in Sarlahi district has been hit hard by an outbreak of viral fever and diarrhea on Sunday. More than 200 viral fever patients were admitted to a health post today alone in Hajariya VDC, Auxiliary Nurse Midwife Champika Rayamajhi said. She said the health post, which is understaffed, has been overwhel-med by the surge in number of patients...

[Shiloh]

Re: Nepal: Multiple outbreaks of "viral fever" and other unidentified illnesses, August 1, 2012+

Source: http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/ful...&NewsID=347791

Viral outbreak shuts schools
Last Updated At: 2012-09-18 10:12 PM

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KHOTANG: With the viral outbreak sweeping across many parts of the district, seven schools have been closed in Khotang so far, with two more deciding the closure to avoid further spread of the outbreak among the students recently...

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Nepal: Multiple outbreaks of "viral fever" and other unidentified illnesses, August 1, 2012+

Fever claims minor

PHIDIM: Rajpati Limbu of Tapethok VDC in Taplejung district died of viral fever on Thursday. Limbu, a fifth grader at Tapethok VDC- based Parbati Lower Secondary School, was suffering from viral fever since last week.

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http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Houses+buried+&NewsID=348054