Detection of G12 human rotaviruses in Nepal

Of 731 stool specimens collected from children with diarrhea in Kathmandu, Nepal, from August 2004 through July 2005, 170 (23.3%) tested positive for rotavirus. Reverse transcription-PCR, including a revised G12-specific primer set, identified 56 (32.9%) as G2P[4] and 39 (23.0%) as G12 with P[6], P[8], or P[4]

Epidemiology, impact and control of rabies in Nepal : a systematic review

Background: Rabies is a vaccine-preventable viral zoonosis belonging to the group of neglected tropical diseases. Exposure to a rabid animal may result in a fatal acute encephalitis if effective post-exposure prophylaxis is not provided. Rabies occurs worldwide, but its burden is disproportionately high in developing countries, including Nepal. We aimed to summarize current knowledge on the epidemiology, impact and control of rabies in Nepal. Methods: We performed a systematic review of international and national scientific literature and searched grey literature through the World Health Organization Digital Library and the library of the National Zoonoses and Food Hygiene Research Centre, Nepal, and through searching Google and Google Scholar. Further data on animal and human rabies were obtained from the relevant Nepalese government agencies. Finally, we surveyed the archives of a Nepalese daily to obtain qualitative information on rabies in Nepal. Findings: So far, only little original research has been conducted on the epidemiology and impact of rabies in Nepal. Per year, rabies is reported to kill about 100 livestock and 10–100 humans, while about 1,000 livestock and 35,000 humans are reported to receive rabies post-exposure prophylaxis. However, these estimates are very likely to be serious underestimations of the true rabies burden. Significant progress has been made in the production of cell culture-based anti-rabies vaccine and rabies immunoglobulin, but availability and supply remain a matter of concern, especially in remote areas. Different state and non-state actors have initiated rabies control activities over the years, but efforts typically remained focalized, of short duration and not harmonized. Communication and coordination between veterinary and human health authorities is limited at present, further complicating rabies control in Nepal. Important research gaps include the reporting biases for both human and animal rabies, the ecology of stray dog populations and the true contribution of the sylvatic cycle. Interpretation: Better data are needed to unravel the true burden of animal and human rabies. More collaboration, both within the country and within the region, is needed to control rabies. To achieve these goals, high level political commitment is essential. We therefore propose to make rabies the model zoonosis for successful control in Nepal

Detection of G12 Human Rotaviruses in Nepal

Of 731 stool specimens collected from children with diarrhea in Kathmandu, Nepal, from August 2004 through July 2005, 170 (23.3%) tested positive for rotavirus. Reverse transcription–PCR, including a revised G12-specific primer set, identified 56 (32.9%) as G2P[4] and 39 (23.0%) as G12 with P[6], P[8], or P[4]

Rotavirus, Vaccine and Unanswered Questions: A Perspective from a Least Developed Country

Two rotavirus vaccines, RotaTeq (Merck) and Rotarix (GlaxoSmithKline) have been developed to neutralize the most common rotavirus serotypes, and are now available in the global market. These vaccines are primarily aimed at reducing rotavirus gastroenteritis in children in the least developed countries, where rotavirus mortality rate is believed to be greatest. Thus, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended rotavirus vaccination be included in all national immunization programs, while the least developed countries have so far not come up with clear vision and long term strategy on vaccine implementation, and several questions, in addition to this, remain unanswered. _______________________________________________________________________________________ Keywords: least developed country; rotavirus; vaccines

ネパールにおけるG12型ヒトロタウイルスの検出

長崎大学学位論文 [学位記番号]博(医歯薬)甲第210号 [学位授与年月日]平成20年9月19

Understanding the Cholera Epidemic, Haiti

After the devastating outbreak of cholera in Haiti in mid-October 2010, several hypotheses have emerged regarding the origin of the outbreak. Some articles and media reports pointed to the United Nations peacekeepers from Nepal as the source. Piarroux et al. drew a similar conclusion from their epidemiologic study (1). Nepal did experience an outbreak of cholera during August–October 2010, in which 72 cases of infection with Vibrio cholerae O1, serotype Ogawa, were confirmed, mostly among young adult males. The cases peaked from mid-September to early October (Figure; Figure A1), and no deaths occurred. Despite this similarity in timing, I believe several points need to be considered before a firm conclusion is reached