KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) has heightened nationwide preparedness measures after Nipah virus cases were reported in neighbouring countries, while confirming that no infection has been detected in Nepal to date.

In an official statement, the Ministry said hospitals and health institutions across the country have been placed on standby, with arrangements completed for the identification, sampling, and testing of suspected cases. An interim Nipah virus testing algorithm has also been developed as part of precautionary preparedness.

Although the World Health Organization (WHO) has assessed the public health risk of Nipah virus at the global and South-East Asia regional level as low, Nepal has stepped up vigilance due to cross-border health risks.

Health authorities said the virus can spread through fruit contaminated by saliva, urine, or droppings of fruit bats, as well as through close contact with infected individuals and, in some cases, via pigs. In this context, the Ministry has urged the public, including visitors and tourism workers, to follow basic hygiene and food safety practices.

The Ministry has advised washing fruits thoroughly, consuming well-cooked food, drinking safe or boiled water, maintaining cleanliness in animal farms, and practising regular hand hygiene. Wearing masks in crowded places has also been recommended as a preventive measure.

Tourism stakeholders have been urged to assist in early identification and reporting of any guests or workers showing symptoms such as fever, headache, cough, breathing difficulty, dizziness, vomiting, or loss of consciousness. Suspected cases should be isolated immediately and reported to nearby health facilities or through the health hotline 1115.

Reassuring the public and international visitors, the Ministry stated that Nepal’s health system remains fully prepared and urged people not to panic, but to stay alert and rely only on official information. The situation is being closely monitored in coordination with national and international partners.

Health Ministry spokesperson Dr Prakash Budhathoki reiterated that the government is fully committed to safeguarding public health while ensuring that normal social and economic activities, including tourism, continue safely.