Health experts in Nepal warned the government over the possible outbreak of the Zika virus--recently detected in the southern Indian state of Kerala--as the virus vector remains present in almost all districts in Nepal. Mosquitoes that transmit the dengue virus also transmit the Zika virus.  

“We already have Zika-transmitting vectors which are found in almost all districts throughout the country,” Dr. Basudev Pandey, former director at the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, was quoted as saying by The Kathmandu Post. “What is needed is a person infected with the virus for the Aedes mosquitoes to spread the virus,” he added. 

He is also an expert on vector-borne diseases including dengue and the Zika virus. 

Every day, thousands of people cross the India-Nepal border, making the outbreak even more potential. 

“Due to the high mobility of people between the two countries, Nepal is highly vulnerable to the outbreak of any disease seen in India,” Pandey said, adding “And what is concerning is we already have vectors of the virus.”

In 2018, a risk assessment survey by the Ministry of Health and Population had shown that Nepal was a high-risk country for dengue and Zika outbreaks.

Experts have suggested that the government should increase surveillance. As health authorities still busy handling the Covid-19 pandemic, there is a real risk that they might ignore the initial signs of another outbreak.