Influenza A(H1N1) anxieties increase in Nepali hospitals
August 26, 2009 10:50 am
KATHMANDU, Aug. 26 — The number of people seeking Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) of A(H1N1) virus has recently increased in Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital (STIDH) in Nepali capital Kathmandu.
Around 12 people visit the hospital everyday seeking RDT of the dreaded virus, local news website eKantipur reported on Wednesday quoting an official at STIDH.
"Due to increasing number of A(H1N1) cases and subsequent deaths in India, people in our country as well seem more conscious," said Dr. Saroj Prasad Rajendra, Director at STIDH. "However, people who do not travel and have not contact with the infected individuals need not conduct the test."
Moreover, people seek A(H1N1) test even if they suffer from seasonal flu. "Though I have symptoms like a common flu, I am afraid of A(H1N1) virus as I came to Kathmandu from Lucknow, India, this week," said a migrant worker requesting anonymity.
According to Deputy Director at National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL), Dr. Gita Shakya, on average seven common flu patients visit the NPHL in addition to the hospital asking for A(H1N1) virus tests.
The Nepali government has set up 14 special beds for the treatment of A(H1N1) virus at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH), six beds in STIDH and equipped NPHL for confirmation of the virus in capital Kathmandu alone.
According to Deputy Coordinator of Avian Influenza Control Project, Dr. Jitendra Man Shrestha, the RDT is less reliable as it is less sensitive for diagnosis of the A(H1N1) virus. However, this is the only test available at all strategic locations where health screening desks are set up.
"The Molecular test or the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is the only test available for the confirmation of the virus, but it is conducted only at NPHL in view of the high cost and lengthy process," said Shrestha.
Although there are over 50 major transit points along the Nepal-India border and 18 of them are quite busy, only seven health screening desks are set up along the border, according to Dr. Shrestha.
The virus has not spread to rural communities so far, but this might happen in lack of appropriate precautionary measures since Nepal and India share an open border.
Nepal has confirmed 28 cases of A(H1N1) to date, while five dozen people have already died due to the virus in India. (PNA/Xinhua)
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