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The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday announced that Nepal has successfully eliminated rubella, also known as German measles, as a public health problem. This achievement marks a significant step forward in the country’s efforts to protect its population from vaccine-preventable diseases.

Rubella is a highly contagious viral infection that poses a serious threat to pregnant women, as it can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth or severe and lifelong birth defects. The disease, however, is preventable with safe and cost-effective vaccines.

“Nepal’s success reflects the unwavering commitment of its leadership, the persistent efforts of health workers and volunteers, and the unstinting support of engaged and informed communities,” said Dr Catharina Boehme, Officer-in-Charge of WHO South-East Asia. She endorsed the recommendation of the Regional Verification Commission for Measles and Rubella elimination (SEA-RVC), which verified Nepal’s achievement.

The SEA-RVC held its annual meeting from July 22-24, where it reviewed and evaluated data submitted by Nepal’s national verification committee on disease surveillance and immunization coverage rates before recommending verification of rubella elimination.

Nepal is the sixth country in the WHO South-East Asia region to achieve this milestone. The region has prioritized the elimination of measles and rubella as public health problems by 2026. Prior to Nepal, Bhutan, DPR Korea, the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Timor-Leste from the region had eliminated rubella.

“Nepal’s achievement of rubella elimination is yet another testament to the success of the national immunization program, which has long been one of the strongest pillars of our healthcare system,” said Pradip Paudel, Minister for Health and Population. He acknowledged the steadfast support from Gavi and WHO and called on all stakeholders to continue their efforts to ensure no child in Nepal suffers from a vaccine-preventable disease.

Nepal first introduced the rubella-containing vaccine into its immunization program in 2012. Subsequent nationwide campaigns in 2016, 2020, and 2024 helped the country achieve over 95 percent coverage for at least one dose of the vaccine by 2024, despite challenges resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic and the 2015 and 2023 earthquakes.

Innovative strategies, such as ‘immunization months’ and outreach programs to vaccinate missed children, provided additional momentum. Nepal also recently introduced a robust laboratory testing algorithm, the first in the WHO South-East Asia Region, to further strengthen surveillance.

“Congratulations to Nepal for eliminating rubella. This public health achievement is the result of close collaboration between the government, dedicated health workers, partners, and communities,” said Dr Rajesh Sambhajirao Pandav, WHO Representative to Nepal. “WHO is proud to have contributed to this journey and remains committed to supporting Nepal in sustaining this accomplishment.”

The Regional Verification Commission for Measles and Rubella elimination in South-East Asia Region (SEA-RVC) was established in March 2016 to monitor progress toward measles and rubella elimination. The WHO says that the National Verification Committees of countries in WHO South-East Asia Region report on annual progress  made towards achieving the goal of measles and rubella elimination which is then reviewed by SEA-RVC which provides suggestions and recommendations or verify them as achieved the status of measles and  rubella elimination.  

In 2013, the WHO South-East Asia Region set the goal to eliminate measles and control rubella by 2020.  In 2019 the goal was revised to measles and rubella elimination by 2023. In view of setbacks during Covid-19 pandemic, in 2024, member countries agreed to extend the target for elimination of measles and  rubella, aspiring to achieve by 2026.

Two workers hired by the Myagdi-based under-construction Rahughat Hydropower Project were killed in a landslide near the approach route to the Project's major tunnel today. 

Five others injured in the incident have been taken to the hospital, according to the District Police Office's Deputy Superintendent of Police, Surya Bahadur Thapa.  

The Project is being developed at the Raghuganga Rural Municipality.. 

As of the time of this news report, the identities of the deceased have not been ascertained. However, workers at the site have reported that one of the two victims is a Nepali national.

A 52-year-old man from Patabari of Madhyabindu Municipality-1, Nawalparasi has died of Japanese Encephalitis (JE), a mosquito-borne disease.

Chhabilal Subedi, Information Officer at the Province Public Health Office, Nawalparasi confirmed it. 

The incident occurred during the first month (mid July-mid-August) of the current fiscal year, which also saw four confirmed JE cases in the district. 

Among the infected, the remaining three: a 44-year-old woman, an 83-year-old woman, and a 53-year-old man successfully recovered and returned home.

In recent years, Nawalparasi district, part of Gandaki Province, has seen frequent JE cases. 

During the fiscal year 2079/80 BS, the district recorded seven infections with five fatalities. This was followed by eight infections and one death in 2080/81 BS. In the last fiscal year, two cases were reported, and both patients recovered.

JE is a transmissible disease caused by the bite of an infected Culex mosquito. 

This mosquito, medium-sized and brown with white markings on its abdomen, is active primarily after sunset and during the night. Its primary breeding grounds are stagnant water in paddy fields. The risk of infection is highest during the months of Saun, Bhadau, and Asoj (mid-July to mid-October).

Symptoms of JE include fever, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, exhaustion, headache, fatigue, neck stiffness, and pain. In severe cases, it may lead to epilepsy, paralysis or loss of consciousness.

Worldwide, over 50,000 cases of JE are reported annually, with fatalities ranging between 10,000 and 15,000. 

The Mahakali Highway, which was blocked by landslides triggered by the incessant rainfall on Sunday night, reopened late this morning.

According to Darchula's Chief District Officer Anil Paudel, landslides had occurred at Terchalek in Mallikarjun Rural Municipality-3 and at Ranebas in Shailyashikhar Municipality-6 along the Gokuleshwor–Darchula road section, causing obstruction.

Authorities have successfully cleared the debris, allowing traffic to resume. 

Following the reopening, the vehicles and passengers who had been stranded now began their journey towards destinations.