/countries/nepal/picture136851854-1b23-46fe-a3ed-0f0b190312a4.jpg?sfvrsn=59310ca_5 "WHO personnel, along with local health authorities, conduct house-to-house visits as part of case detection and GPS mapping of affected households in Birgunj, Parsa district, Nepal")
WHO personnel, along with local health authorities, conducting a house-to-house visit as part of case detection and GPS mapping of affected households in Birgunj, Parsa district.
The World Health Organization is working with Nepal health authorities to scale up a multi-pronged response to rapidly contain the cholera outbreak in Birgunj Metropolitan City in Madhesh Province.
On 22 August, health facilities in Birguj, which lies in southern Nepal near the border town of Raxaul, reported a sudden surge in cases of acute watery diarrhea. Since then, and as of 28 August, over 600 cases have been recorded, with 187 active cases. Laboratory tests have confirmed the presence of Vibrio cholerae in selected samples. Few additional cases have been reported from nearby municipalities.
“Together with the Ministry of Health and Population and our partners, we are scaling up an urgent response to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread,” said Dr Rajesh Sambhajirao Pandav, WHO Representative to Nepal. “Our efforts are focused on ensuring timely treatment of those infected, minimizing fatalities, strengthening surveillance and supporting measures to interrupt transmission.”
In response to the outbreak, WHO immediately deployed its personnel to the affected areas to support local health authorities with case detection, sample collection and transportation, community engagement and case management. WHO is also assisting the Provincial Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) in Madhesh Province to coordinate the outbreak response with local officials.
To further strengthen clinical capacity, WHO also mobilized a clinical expert and an Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) officer to provide onsite training on clinical management of cholera with a focus on IPC and health-care waste management. To support case management, WHO has initiated coordination to transfer a Central Referral Module cholera kit from the WHO warehouse in Dubai to Kathmandu at the request of the Ministry of Health and Population.
WHO has also been closely engaged in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions. In collaboration with WHO, the Department of Water Supply and Sewerage Management, mobilized a mobile water quality laboratory van to test drinking water, equipped with chlorine tablets and chlorine solutions. Coordination with UNICEF has ensured the availability of adequate chlorine supplies at the provincial level.
Beyond immediate response, WHO has been working with the Government of Nepal to strengthen preparedness in the context of cholera’s endemic presence, particularly during the monsoon season. This includes enhancing surveillance, training health workers and epidemiologists, and reinforcing laboratory and rapid response team capacities.
WHO advises the public to adopt recommended hygiene and sanitation practices, including drinking only boiled, chlorinated or otherwise treated water; washing hands frequently with soap and safe water (especially before eating and after using the toilet); and seeking immediate medical care if symptoms such as watery diarrhea or vomiting appear.