Dr. Pun Warns of Potential Mpox Entry into Nepal, Urges Caution but No Panic
Hamrakura
Published 2024 Sep 01 Sunday
Kirtipur (Kathmandu): Public health expert Dr. Sher Bahadur Pun has warned that Mpox (monkeypox), currently spreading in Africa and Europe, could potentially enter Nepal through international travel. Speaking at a health-related event in Kathmandu, Dr. Pun emphasized the need for vigilance, noting that no country can be entirely immune to the spread of communicable diseases.
Dr. Pun reassured that while Mpox may pose a threat, it is not as deadly as COVID-19. "Medically, Mpox resembles a skin infection similar to chickenpox," he said. He further explained that the viral infection was first identified in monkeys in 1958 and was later diagnosed in humans in 1970, with a nine-year-old boy in Congo being the first reported case. To date, Mpox has spread to 40 countries worldwide.
Despite the potential risk, Dr. Pun emphasized that there is no need for panic, urging the public to stay informed and take necessary precautions.
