Potential Risk of Local Transmission of Mpox in Nepal: An Emerging Public Health Concern

Monkeypox (Mpox) is a zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Orthopoxvirus genus with two major clades (Clades I and II), with Clade IIb responsible for most global cases reported during 2022-2024. By July 2024, more than 100,000 Mpox cases and 200 deaths were reported worldwide. Nepal has recently confirmed three imported Mpox cases, raising concerns about the potential for local transmission amid increased labor migration and peacekeeping troops abroad. This study aims to trace out the emerging threat and risk of Mpox transmission in Nepal and preparedness and prevention strategies based on global experiences.

We reviewed global and national epidemiological reports and Mpox case data from the government authority of Nepal to identify Mpox clades with Clade II at the National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL).

In Nepal, three cases have been confirmed, all linked with recent travel history to the Middle East country (Saudi Arabia). Mpox reported in Nepal belonged to Clade IIa by sequencing. Additionally, the risk of Mpox transmission among Nepalese individuals in the UN peacekeeping forces stationed in Africa, including a few endemic countries, may be elevated due to shared living conditions, as human-to-human transmission can occur through direct contact, fomites, or respiratory secretions.

Nepal should strengthen molecular laboratories, enforce national guidelines, enhance border health monitoring, raise public awareness, and ensure timely diagnosis and treatment. Coordinated strategies and preparedness are crucial to prevent potential outbreaks and enhance national readiness against future Mpox threats in Nepal. It is recommended that the Government of Nepal adopt and implement a One Health approach for the early detection, control, and prevention of Mpox to minimize transmission risks.