Abstract

*Dr Abhiyan Gautam and Surya Subedi

ABSTRACT

Background: The great earthquake of magnitude 7.8 Mw hit on April 25, 2015 killed over 8000 people, injured more than 21,000 and many are missing. The great earthquake was followed by hundreds of aftershocks in which Dolakha was struck again by earthquake on 12 may with epicenter in Dolakha district with magnitude of 7.3 Mw followed by hundreds of aftershocks in which about 87% houses were fully damaged. In Nepal outbreak of influenza usually occurs between December and March. After the devastating earthquake, outbreak of influenza occurred in February 2016 and they were confirmed as Influenza A (H3N2) and influenza B. Methods: After local public health centre (PHC) reported the symptoms, medical team went and suspected it as influenza outbreak in first and second case. Investigation was made where the patients were suffering from common symptoms. Public awareness program was conducted immediately at different places. Samples were collected and dispatched to laboratory immediately which were subjected to reverse transcription PCR for sub-typing of influenza. Result: The first outbreak was prevalent in all age groups and the rate of transmission was high. No death was reported in this outbreak whereas Complications whereas three were suffered from pneumonia while one from bronchitis. The first outbreak was confirmed as (H3N2). The second outbreak was only in children of age below 14. Among 300 children, 246 were suffered from infection. Symptoms were common in all children. No complications were seen beside general symptoms. It was confirmed as influenza B on lab diagnosis. Conclusion: Influenza can outbreak in disastrous area in epidemic influenza season. The transmission route is direct contact with infected person, use of person goods, sharing of room, space and by aerosols. If public awareness and care taken, it can be controlled.