Recent media (as in Reuters on Dec 25,2022) speak a lot about the new type of Omicron viruses spreading massively with10 lakhs new cases per day in China’s Zhejiang.
THIS PARTICULAR CORONAVIRUS:
SARS-CoV-2is the name of the virus causing COVID-19.
SARS-CoV-2,like any other viruses, change with time, a property called as mutation.
Among many variants through mutation, Omicron is leading the infection in the world in the current scenario.
Omicron sub-variant BA.5 is causing a massive rate of infection in China.
This current sub-variant in news media is BF .7 (BA.5.2.1.7),which is creating havoc in the lives of people in China.
The signs and symptoms of the disease are similar to other sub-variants of Omicron.
The rates of infections of this sub-variant are found to be higher than the other variants.
Prevention includes the same principles of physical distancing, masking, avoiding crowded areas, complete vaccination with booster doses, and washing hands/use of sanitizers frequently.
Nepal has no reported case of this particular sub-variant of Omicron virus as of today, but a strict monitoring and regular genomic analysis of the positive cases found in Nepal is required.
(This is subject to change with new information through research, but holds true until the day it was drafted on December 26,2022).
In late December 2019, our world witnessed the first cluster of cases of COVID-19 which is still creating a massive havoc for the entire human population of the world. We have been skeptical since then because the first few cases of Wuhan,China engulfed the entire world in no time.
Now, the first few cases causing acute hepatitis have been notified to WHO on April 5 2022. Acute hepatitis– a medical terminology to describe the period of inflammation( local response to cellular injury marked by swelling, redness,heat,pain and loss of function) in the liver lasting less than six months of duration. 10 cases were reported from Central Scotland- the cause for severe acute hepatitis is unknown till date.
What do we know as of today? 74 cases had been reported in the UK till April 8,2022 with similar symptoms. All the cases are reported among children less than 16 years of age. Hepatitis viruses(A,B,C,D,E) were excluded in the laboratory.However,viruses causing COVID-19 i.e. SARS-CoV-2 and/ or Adenovirus have been found in many cases. Less than 5 cases from Ireland and 3 cases from Spain are on the investigation with similar symptoms.
So, what is the working case definition? A confirmed case is a person presenting with an acute hepatitis (non-hepatitis Virus A,B,C,D,E) with AST or ALT over 500 U/L who is 10 years and under, since 1 Jan, 2022. AST and ALT are enzymes found mostly in liver which increases during liver injury( Normal value varies based on laboratory-ALT 7-55 U/L, AST 8-48 U/L).
Signs and Symptoms :
A child can present with any one or more of the following:
Discoloration of Urine (dark) and/or Stool(pale)
Jaundice (yellowish discoloration of skin, sclera etc)
Pruritis (Itching)
Arthralgia/Myalgia( joint pain/Muscle pain)
Pyrexia(fever)
Nausea,Vomiting or Abdominal Pain
Lethargy and/or loss of appetite
Diarrhea
How severe is it? All the first 10 cases were detected during hospitalization. All of them were healthy, prior to illness.As of April 11,2022, no deaths had occurred amongst reported cases.However, six children required liver transplantation.
What next?
WHO is monitoring the situation with other member states and the UK along with partners for cases with similar profiles.
Many questions are left unanswered. With time,we hope to find the cause(etiology) of acute hepatitis of this unknown etiology because we are all exhausted to have another outbreak in any form.Hence, it is our duty to stick with the basics to contribute to the better health of everyone.
On this little part of the world, Nepal has been a proud sovereign nation with the roof of the world,Mount Everest and the sanctuary of peace,Lumbini, the birth place of Gautam Buddha.
It has diverse population of human, animals, birds,landscapes.cultures,art,architecture, history and many more.
And in this nation, lies Bhaktapur, the smallest district of Nepal. Bhaktapur, also called as city of devotees in enriched by Newari culture and civilization. I promise, you will never see these diverse traditions,food,festivals,colors etc. in any other part of Nepal or the world. Bhaktapur, it has its own uniqueness, standing out amongst the many diversities you see in Nepal.
In Bhaktapur, you will find us- approximately 1 km North from the heart of the old city, say 7-10 minutes walk.
Hotel Planet Bhaktapur stays on a hill, letting you see the outline of the old city of Bhaktapur, Bhaktapur Durbar Square,Changunarayan, one of the oldest temple of Nepal, outline of Nagarkot, Ranikot, Gyampe Dada, Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Sanga and so on.We are in nature, far away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
A 13-roomed hotel with all the facilities required to have a wonderful stay for the many.COVID had taken so much of us, with it. Though it looks like the pandemic is at control now, and the things are looking better than normal, the scar of the wound that COVID made can never be forgotten, like so many of you. Yet, we must take a strength to rise and heal.
As soon as you enter, you are welcome by us-along with Nature.
Like Francesco says, ‘Family, a bigger Planet Family, shall be our strength-our individual travel agencies.’ With Yam smiling in the heart of Planet Bhaktapur, I believe we shall rise up-slowly, with his eternal soul guiding us.
The entrance-Yam’s motorbike
Yet, I seek for help.A help to let Planet stand on its own feet. And Planet Bhaktapur shall stand firm only with the work. The 16 families of staffs shall be able to sustain-only with the work. When Planet Bhaktapur needed help, all the kind,loving and caring friend helped us in so many forms-from rebuilding homes destroyed by earthquake,sending funds to sustain in pandemic, coming back to us, every time they visit Nepal, being our good friend and letting people know about planet in their agencies or companies and so many more.
Rooftop.
The passage to Restaurant-La Bella Nepali Restaurant.
The passage in the first floor.
I walk around our big green garden-looking at the things required to fix. The list is long. Every day, I look at this list of mine-sometimes doubtful on what we could accomplish and what shall take a little longer. I look at the prospect on how help could be gathered. I look at the beauty of Planet Bhaktapur, feel proud and gather courage. I try to educate myself with many things-like my brother.He was a genius, it will take a lot of time to be nearer to his capabilities. Love, passion, knowledge, kindness and courage shall suffice for us to smile and work.In this process, I await Francesco,our savior – to be back to Nepal with good health, soon.
Garden-Nature
Garden-Flowers
Blue sky-Prayer Flags-Peace
Garden with its natural colors.
More of the garden
The interior
With the butterfly in Planet’s garden
Moth-Planet Bhaktapur
Gentle touch-Butterfly
Lobby and Library
La Bella Nepali Restaurant
I seek for the help- in any form-Knowledge, sharing about Planet with friends and families, promoting all the good we have, suggesting to make it even better, being a kind friend of ours and supporting our work so that we are at least able to fill some of our rooms almost everyday. This work of ours-is our passion, and this passion shall build Planet’s family stronger.
‘With love, everything is possible.Asking is already half way to learning.Let us share love,spread peace and honor friendship’
And somewhere, let stories be shared, real sometimes and sometimes from virtual world. I want to learn, from odds and evens, in different perception.Doctor, by profession.Contact for health related querries.
Dr.Yagya Prasad Timalsina 