Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Aug 18, 2024 3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days, 22 hours, 27 minutes ago
COVID-19 News: Rising COVID-19 Cases Amid Monsoon Season
As the monsoon season sweeps across Nepal, a noticeable uptick in COVID-19-like illnesses has emerged, raising concerns among health officials and the public alike. According to recent data, the country has experienced a significant rise in the SARS-CoV-2 virus, with infection rates climbing from 5.56% in mid-July to a concerning 13.68% by early August. This surge suggests that the virus may be circulating more widely than anticipated and that new KP variants are possibly at play.
Nepal faces a surge in COVID-19 infections
Unidentified Variant Fuels Community Transmission
By the end of May 2024, Nepal confirmed the presence of several Omicron sub-variants, including KP.1, KP.2 and KP.3 commonly referred to as the FLiRT (KP.1 and KP.2) and FluQE (KP.3) subvariants. As the rate of genomic sequencing in Nepal is extremely low or non-existent in some periods, the specific variant driving the recent surge remains unknown though some suspect it is the likely the more transmissible and immune evasive KP.3.1.1 variant.
Since March 2024, Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital in Nepal has admitted dozens of COVID-19 patients, primarily older adults requiring intensive care.
While there has been an exponential rise in individuals seeking outpatient medical consultations for respiratory conditions and symptoms at various hospitals and clinics across Nepal, there has yet to be a significant increase in hospitalizations due to the COVID-19 surge but experts caution that the situation could escalate in the coming days.
Local
COVID-19 News coverages online has also reported about the rise in respiratory illnesses across the country but COVID-19 test kits are not easily available coupled with the high prices for these test kits which are expensive for many normal Nepalis.
Nepal Leads South Asia in COVID-19 Infection Rates
Historically, Nepal has experienced waves of COVID-19 following outbreaks in neighboring India, due to the countries’ shared border. Typically, a rise in cases in India signals an impending surge in Nepal. However, this year has seen a surprising reversal of this trend. Nepal is now reporting the highest SARS-CoV-2 infection rate in the South Asian region, even as India’s infection rate has steadily declined over the past four weeks.
This unusual pattern raises concerns about the unpredictability of COVID-19 transmission dynamics and whether India might also see a resurgence in the near future.
Evolving Symptoms and the Need for Vigilance
The clinical presentation of COVID-19 has evolved over time, with new symptoms emerging in each wave. While fever, cough, and shortness of breath remain the primary symptoms, patients in the current wave in Nepal have reported atypical signs such as a low platelet count (thrombocytopenia). A recent case involved a 34-year-old male admitted to Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital with fever, nausea, weakness, and body a
ches. Despite testing positive for COVID-19, his oxygen levels were stable, and he exhibited no respiratory symptoms, highlighting the virus’s unpredictable nature.
The Need for Continuous Surveillance and Vaccination
The ongoing evolution of COVID-19, marked by new genetic mutations, underscores the need for continuous surveillance and genetic analysis. Understanding the genetic makeup of the virus responsible for the monsoon surge is crucial in predicting its impact and developing targeted interventions.
While the seasonality of COVID-19 in Nepal is not yet fully understood, past data suggests a pattern of spikes during or around the monsoon season. This raises the question of whether COVID-19 could become a seasonal virus similar to influenza in Nepal, with annual peaks during the monsoon months.
Preparing for the Unknown
As Nepal grapples with the current COVID surge, it is essential not to underestimate the potential for increased hospitalizations, especially considering the emergence of the KP subvariants earlier this year.
In conclusion, continuous surveillance and genetic sequencing should be prioritized to combat the evolving threat of COVID in Nepal.
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