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Despite a rapid proliferation of conflict-sensitivity approaches and tools over more than two decades, a key question is largely unanswered: Why does conflict sensitivity remain a resisted concept in post-conflict peacebuilding? Regardless of socio-political contexts of armed-conflict termination, authorities in post-conflict countries, such as Nepal and Sri Lanka, often deny the existence of conflict, despite situations in which social division and polarisation continue to threaten peace and stability. This conflict denialism at the political level often engenders a type of conflict-sensitivity dilemma. This article highlights two types of conflict-sensitivity dilemma: operational dilemma and thematic dilemma. It argues that implementing conflict sensitivity requires peacebuilding and development actors to overcome these dilemmas and enhance their engagement with political elites, with consideration of the political settlement framework that shapes peacebuilding and the dynamics of conflict denialism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite these interventions, there is no detection of serovar new serovar of dengue and dengue-like illness (Kathmandu Syndrome?) is on the rise in Kathmandu. Dengue is a febrile disease caused by the dengue virus (Flaviviridae Family) transmitted by I Aedes i mosquitoes ( I Aedes aegypti i and I Aedes albopictus i ). [Extracted from the article]

Focusing on a case study from Nepal, this article argues that as the private sector is a heterogeneous constituency consisting of a variety of actors who can perform in favor of or against peace, generalizing the entire sector as either a builder or spoiler of peace can be deeply misleading. Instead, this article proposes an alternative approach that may help to understand the personal and structural dimensions that make up a business response to peace and conflict. These two dimensions, which can be better understood in terms of a business actor's self-interests, motivations, and the economic incentive structures and mechanisms, are central in shaping businesses' attitudes and responses toward peace and conflict. The personal and structural dimensions may provide an analytical framework that distinguishes between business actors who might want to benefit from political instability and conflict and those who may want to support peace initiatives. In this article, these two categories of the private sector are referred to as 'conflict profiteers' and 'pro˗peace entrepreneurs' respectively. While the business activities of a conflict profiteer may exacerbate conflict dynamics, by contrast a pro-peace entrepreneur can contribute to building peace in Nepal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aflatoxins (AFs), secondary metabolites produced by fungi, pose significant health risks, especially to children and elderly individuals. In developing countries such as Nepal, the tropical climate promotes fungal growth, leading to elevated levels of AF in animal feed and milk. In this study, we aimed to investigate the occurrence of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in dairy milk from the Kathmandu District and to assess husbandry practices contributing to contamination. We collected 84 milk samples, including raw milk from farms, retailers' milk, and packet milk, and analyzed them using the competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA) technique. We also interviewed farmers to gather information on feeding and storage practices. All the collected milk samples were contaminated with AFM1, with 97.6% of the samples exceeding the European Union (EU) maximum permissible limit of 50 ppt (0.05 μg/kg). The majority (98.5%) of the farms included paddy straw, and all farms (100%) included concentrate in their feed regimens. Only half (52%) of the farms had proper storage facilities. Straw was mostly stored in sacks outdoors or left open in a shed, while concentrates were stored in a closed room or shed. This study reveals very high levels of AFM1 contamination in the milk samples, presenting a serious public health issue, and recommends comprehensive surveillance and further investigations across the country, especially given the limited research and literature available.

This case report documents the first confirmed outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in a wild boar (Sus scrofa) in Nepal. The case was identified in a wild boar carcass found in Shuklaphanta National Park in February 2023. Post-mortem findings, including splenomegaly, haemorrhagic lymph nodes and congested organs, were suggestive of ASF, which was confirmed by real-time PCR. Epidemiological evidence indicates potential transmission from nearby ASF-infected domestic pigs. This case underscores the critical need for rigorous biosecurity protocols, comprehensive surveillance and targeted wildlife management strategies to prevent further transmission between domestic pig and wild boar populations., (© 2024 The Author(s). Veterinary Medicine and Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Introduction: This study aimed to build the emergent body of evidence of family planning and maternal and child health (FPMCH) service integration benefits that can be useful in reaching the target of sustainable development goals (SDGs)., Methods: We utilized data from the 2015 Nepal Health Facility Survey and used the World Health Organization service readiness manual for defining the service readiness indicator score of all services related to FPMCH integration. Composite readiness index for all services including family planning, antenatal care service, delivery and newborn service readiness index, and curative child care service readiness index was considered for the integration of all services (i.e. readiness for FPMCH). Multivariable linear regression models were fitted to examine the association between covariates and readiness score to provide integrated services., Results: The mean readiness score of integrated services in health facilities in Nepal was 52.1%. The services in private hospitals and peripheral health facilities had significantly lower readiness scores of integrated services compared to government hospitals. Compared to Province 3(Province 3 holds the national capital), Province 2 had significantly lower and Province 7 had significantly higher readiness scores. There is a marginally significantly higher readiness score of integrated services in the facilities where management meetings are held compared to where management meetings are never conducted. Interestingly, health facilities where external supervision occurred in the last 4 months had better service readiness of integrated services compared with those facilities with no external supervision. Similarly, the facilities that performed the routine quality assurance activities and facilities having a system for collecting opinion and being reviewed had a higher integrated services readiness score than their counterparts., Conclusion: This study found a scope of improvement in management practices in the health sector of Nepal especially for supportive supervision, quality assurance (QA) activities, monthly management meetings, and a system of collecting and reviewing opinions from the clients. Strengthening management practices especially, promoting supportive supervision and adhering to QA protocols may improve HF readiness to implement integrated FPMCH in Nepal. Being low readiness, there is an urgent need for policy reform to improve the integrated service readiness, particularly in Province 2., Competing Interests: The authors have read the journal’s policy and have the following competing interests: New ERA provided support in the form of salary for author Kiran Acharya. This does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials

Subclinical mastitis (SCM) represents a significant burden and challenge to modern dairy management. Multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli (MDR E. coli) in milk poses a public health threat to humans especially via the consumption of unpasteurized dairy products. This study aimed to determine the occurrence of MDR E. coli in cows and buffalo in the households of the western part of the Chitwan district of Nepal. A total of 243 lactating cows and buffalo were included in this study. Milk samples (n = 972) were screened using the California Mastitis Test (CMT). The E. coli was isolated from milk samples that were positive for CMT using standard bacteriological protocols. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to farmers to identify the risk factors associated with the occurrence of SCM in cows and buffalo. Of the 243 dairy animals screened, 42.8% (n = 104/243) showed positive CMT results. However, of the 972 quarters sampled, only 19.3% (n = 188/972) were positive for SCM. The prevalence of E. coli in these animals was found to be 16.5% in animals (n = 40/243). However, E. coli was isolated from only 5% (n = 49/972) of the quarters. Of the 49 E. coli isolated, the resistance to ceftriaxone (38.8%, n = 19/49) and ciprofloxacin (37.7%, n = 17/49) were the most prevalent. Animals with a history of mastitis were 3.57 times more likely to have SCM than other animals. Similarly, lactating animals with previous teat abrasions were 3.22 times more likely to develop SCM than animals without teat injuries. As expected, cleaning the barn once in 2 to 3 d was associated with an increased occurrence of SCM in lactating cows. This study reports the occurrence of MDR E. coli in SCM, which poses a public health threat. Creating awareness of milk pasteurization, and food safety practices are necessary among the farmers., (Copyright © 2021 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: This study aimed to determine the efficacy, tolerability, and practicality of acetazolamide for the prevention of acute mountain sickness (AMS) in Nepali trekking porters early in the trekking season., Methods: This study was a randomized, double-blind controlled trial with 400 male Nepali porters in the Mount Everest region of Nepal, trekking from Namche Bazaar (3440 m) to Lobuche (4930 m), the study endpoint. Participants were randomized to receive 250 mg acetazolamide daily or placebo, and AMS symptom scores (Lake Louise) were compared in highlanders vs lowlanders., Results: Only 109 (27.2%) of the 400 porters completed the trial (28 highlanders, 81 lowlanders). The rest either dropped out (275/400 porters, 68.8%) or were excluded (16/400 porters, 4%). Acute mountain sickness occurred in 13 (11.9%) of 109 porters; all were lowlanders; 7 were taking acetazolamide, 6 taking placebo. Birthplace, acclimatization in the week before the trial, ascent rate, and rest days were the most important variables affecting the incidence of AMS. No highlanders, but 13 (16.1%) of 81 lowlanders had AMS (P = .016). Acclimatization in the pretrial week reduced AMS incidence (P = .013), as did a slower ascent rate (P = .0126), but rest days were the most potent prophylactic variable (P = .0001). Side effects were more frequent in porters taking acetazolamide than in the placebo group (P = .0001), but there were no serious side effects., Conclusions: Acetazolamide was tolerable, but impractical for the routine prevention of AMS in Nepali porters. A good trekking schedule and adequate acclimatization remain the most effective preventive measures. This study identified lowland porters as a high-risk group for developing AMS.

Objective: To determine the incidence of high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE), acute mountain sickness (AMS), and high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) in pilgrims. Although it is well known that western trekkers suffer from acute mountain sickness (AMS) in the Himalayas, not much is documented about the incidence of AMS in the local population of Nepal that go to high altitude., Methods: The design was a randomized study set at a sacred high-altitude lake at 4300 m at Gosainkund in the Nepal Himalayas. There was a control study at 1300 m at Pashupatinath in Kathmandu, Nepal. The subjects were pilgrims of different ethnic Nepali backgrounds. The Lake Louise consensus for AMS, HACE, and HAPE was used, and oxygen saturation with a pulse oximeter was performed on HACE subjects., Results: Out of 5000 pilgrims, 228 were randomly chosen. Sixty-eight percent had AMS, 31% had HACE, and 5% had HAPE. The mean oxygen saturation of HACE subjects at that altitude was 77%, 87% being normal for 4300 m altitude. Seventy-three percent of the study population were men, yet women had a significantly higher rate of AMS (odds ratio, 4.34; 95% confidence interval, 1.83-10.68), HACE (odds ratio 3.15, confidence interval 1.62-6.12), and HAPE (odds ratio, 5.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.24-24.73)., Conclusions: Such a high incidence of HACE in an epidemiological study using the Lake Louise criteria has, to our knowledge, not been reported before. High-altitude pilgrims, especially women pilgrims in this study, seem to be a very susceptible group. Preventive measures in these pilgrims need to be adopted to avoid AMS, specifically life-threatening HACE and HAPE.