A rapid public health response was initiated in Nepal following notification of a suspected diphtheria case at Madhyapur Hospital in Bhaktapur district on 13 May 2026. The response was led by the Family Welfare Division (FWD), under the Ministry of Health and Food Safety, in close coordination with the Immunization and Vaccine Preventable Diseases (IVD) Programme of the World Health Organization Country Ofice for Nepal, the National Public Health Laboratory, WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia (SEARO), WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office (EMRO), and WHO Headquarters.
A 9-year-old child presented with fever, sore throat, tonsillitis, and pseudo-membrane formation, prompting immediate investigation and activation of emergency preparedness measures. A joint field investigation team conducted hospital assessments, coordinated with municipal authorities and schools, and initiated public health measures including active case search, community assessment, surveillance strengthening, and close contact follow-up.
Clinical specimens collected on 14 May were rapidly processed by the National Public Health Laboratory. Culture and PCR reports received on 15 May were negative for diphtheria, and the child has shown significant clinical improvement.
/countries/nepal/20260515_131727.jpg?sfvrsn=2ad2b890_3 "WHO hands over diphtheria antitoxin to Nepal’s Ministry of Health and Food Safety following the detection of a suspected diphtheria case")
WHO hands over diphtheria antitoxin to Nepal’s Ministry of Health and Food Safety following the detection of a suspected diphtheria case. Photo credit: WHO Nepal
Recognizing the potential severity of diphtheria and the urgent need for preparedness, WHO Nepal rapidly coordinated with WHO regional and global offices to secure Diphtheria Antitoxin (DAT), which was not available in-country at the time of notification. Following an official request from the Family Welfare Division on 13 May at 18:09 Nepal time, WHO emergency logistics mechanisms were activated to mobilize DAT from the WHO Logistics Hub in Dubai.
Thirty vials of DAT arrived in Kathmandu within less than 38 hours of the request and were formally handed over to the Director of the FWD for immediate clinical preparedness and emergency response support.
In a communication acknowledging the rapid response, the Team Lead for WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) at WHO-EMRO described the operation as “a textbook example of operational coordination across WHO Headquarters, regional and country offices.”
/countries/nepal/20260515_131912.jpg?sfvrsn=8072e884_3 "Discussions during the handover of diphtheria antitoxin by WHO to Nepal’s Ministry of Health and Food Safety following the detection of a suspected diphtheria case")
Discussions during the handover of diphtheria antitoxin by WHO to Nepal’s Ministry of Health and Food Safety following the detection of a suspected diphtheria case. Photo credit: WHO Nepal
Laboratory tests later confirmed the case to be negative for diphtheria and the decision regarding the use of DAT was put on hold. The decision for its use now remains with the treating physicians based on the patient’s clinical condition.
The health authorities continue active community assessment, case search, and enhanced surveillance activities as precautionary public health measures.
The response highlights Nepal’s strengthened preparedness and rapid response capacity for vaccine-preventable diseases through close collaboration between national authorities, laboratory networks, and WHO country, regional, and global emergency coordination systems.