Ebola Risk in Nepal: Returning Nepali Peacekeepers from Congo to Undergo 21-Day Quarantine as Government Strengthens Safety Measures
Image source, Getty Images
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared an “international health emergency” as global concern escalates around the Ebola outbreak. In this context, Nepali Army spokesperson has informed that Nepali peacekeepers returning from Congo are being managed with heightened caution.
Currently, incidents of Ebola infection are increasing in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda. Although the movement of Nepalis is limited in these countries, a significant number of Nepali peacekeepers are deployed in Congo.
According to Nepali Army spokesperson Rajaram Basnet in an interview with BBC News, all Nepali soldiers serving in Congo remain safe from infection so far.
“Our soldiers are stationed in three locations in Congo: Peni in Ituri Province, Bunia, and Mabibi in Bunia, where there are relatively more infected individuals,” he said. “Our soldiers there have been instructed to strictly follow safety protocols.”
Officials from the Ministry of Health have also confirmed that coordination and vigilance are being maintained with the security agencies assigning personnel to the peace mission.
“The personnel deployed for the peace mission include members from the Nepali Army and Armed Police Force. Their movements are closely monitored, so there is little cause for concern,” said Samirkumar Adhikari, spokesperson for the Ministry.
“Peacekeepers travel not by commercial flights but by chartered aircraft. Before leaving their deployment area and upon return to Nepal, they are required to undergo quarantine for a specific period.”
Some medical experts recommend quarantining all individuals arriving from infected countries for a designated period.
According to Dr. Sher Bahadur Pun, senior physician at Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital in Teku, “During COVID, we advised that infected individuals stay at home, but not everyone adhered to this fully. Considering the high fatality rate of Ebola, establishing specialized quarantine centers would be more effective.”
He also noted that currently there is no immediate high risk of infection.
“There is limited travel from infected countries, so the risk is relatively low but not zero,” Dr. Pun emphasized.
How many Nepali soldiers are deployed in Congo?
Image source, Nepal Army
According to spokesperson Basnet, more than 970 Nepali peacekeepers are currently serving in Congo.
He added that soldiers will only return as needed during the crisis, with all precautionary measures carefully observed.
“Under normal circumstances, no one has returned. If necessary, soldiers in the mission area are isolated and safety protocols are strictly followed,” Basnet said.
Upon return to Nepal, peacekeepers will be kept in transit camps for 21 days under continuous health monitoring.
“They will only be allowed to return home if no health issues emerge after 21 days,” he stated.
Government Preparations
Image source, PA Media
Even though the number of travelers arriving from infected countries to Nepal is limited, precautions have been heightened given the possibility of the virus entering Nepal through neighboring countries.
“Since infection can enter through any route, we have coordinated with international organizations to develop treatment and other preventive measures,” Ministry of Health spokesperson Adhikari explained.
Screening procedures at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu have been further tightened.
However, he indicated that there is currently no necessity or preparation for a new quarantine center.
“At present, there is no need for establishing a separate holding or quarantine center. Patients with infection can be managed in hospital isolation units,” he added.
Medical expert Dr. Pun emphasized the necessity of dedicated centers for Ebola risk management.
“Such centers will help isolate infected patients for treatment while protecting others from exposure.”
Adhikari also noted that experience from the COVID pandemic has prepared the healthcare system to respond more effectively to such infectious outbreaks.
“The learnings and infrastructure from COVID are still available and can be promptly deployed if necessary, which reduces potential complications significantly.”
What is the Ebola virus?
Image source, Reuters
According to health authorities, the current strain of Ebola is the Bundibugyo virus strain, and no approved medicine or vaccine is yet available.
Early symptoms include fever, muscle pain, fatigue, headache, sore throat, vomiting, and diarrhea, the WHO has reported.
Ebola was first identified in 1976 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is believed to spread through bats. The current outbreak in Congo is the 17th recorded incidence of the disease there.
WHO states that there is currently no proven treatment for Ebola, and the average fatality rate is around 50%.
In the past 50 years, the virus has caused approximately 15,000 deaths in African countries.
The largest outbreak from 2018 to 2020 in Congo resulted in nearly 2,300 deaths.
Last year, 45 deaths have been recorded due to the outbreak in remote areas of Congo.