KATHMANDU, JAN 10 - With the increasing challenge to contain AH1N1 virus, popularly known as swine flu, the government plans to set up three sophisticated laboratories in the next two months in different parts of the country.

The government has decided to set up one laboratory each in Kathmandu and B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (Dharan) and the next either in Dhangadi or Nepalgunj.

The World Bank is providing financial assistance to set up these laboratories, according Dr. Shayam Sundar Misra, Coordinator of Avian Influenza Control Project, under the Ministry of Health (MoH).

Mishra said the government has already signed an agreement with the World Bank to this effect.

The WHO declared swine flu pandemic on June 11. Swine flu has claimed two lives in Nepal so far. The first cases of the disease in the country were confirmed on a family of three Non-Resident Nepalis who arrived in Kathmandu from the United States via Qatar on June 21. The number of confirmed cases until Jan. 9 crossed 170, according to an estimate. 

Dr. Misra also said the World Health Organisation will provide 550,000 vials of swine flu vaccine by next week.

 

Posted on: 2010-01-15 05:39

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