Environment and Public Health Organisation

Enteroviruses (EVs), including those linked with hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), are commonly transmitted via the fecal-oral route. Considering the underreporting of HFMD-associated EVs and Nepal's significant burden of enteric disease, wastewater surveillance presents a vital tool for monitoring community-level viral transmission. Through this study, we intended to detect EVs, including EVA serotypes that are often associated with HFMD, in wastewater to support public health surveillance. Raw influent wastewater samples (n = 25) collected previously during April-October 2022 from a wastewater treatment plant in Kathmandu, Nepal, were tested for the presence of EVs and four serotypes of EV type A (EVA), namely EVA71, Coxsackievirus A types 6 (CVA6), 10 (CVA10), and 16 (CVA16), by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. In all samples, EVs were detected with concentrations of 7.4 ± 0.4 log10 copies/L. In addition, EVA71 was detected in 64% (16/25) of the samples, with concentrations of 5.3 ± 0.5 log10 copies/L, suggesting frequent detection with more prominent peaks around the pre-monsoon (75%, April and May) and monsoon seasons (71%, June-September). CVA6, CVA10, and CVA16 were not detected in any of the tested samples. The present findings demonstrated the high prevalence of EVs in wastewater in Kathmandu. This study is the first to indicate the presence of EVA71 in the wastewater of Nepal. The co-detection of EVs and EVA71, along with respiratory viruses (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, influenza A virus, and respiratory syncytial virus) and hepatitis virus, detected in our previous studies, was also explored in the present study. Except for respiratory syncytial virus, all tested viruses were more frequently co-detected in 36% (9/25) of the samples, especially during the monsoon (43%, 6/14) and pre-monsoon (38%, 3/8) seasons. The co-detection of multiple viruses underscores the necessity for integrated viral surveillance and calls for further investigation into the clinical implications of co-infections.

Environmental surveillance of rivers and wastewater for SARS-CoV-2 detection has been explored as an innovative way to surveil the pandemic. This study estimated the economic costs of conducting wastewater-based environmental surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 to inform decision making if countries consider continuing these efforts. We estimated the cost of two SARS-CoV-2 environmental surveillance pilot studies conducted in Blantyre, Malawi, and Kathmandu, Nepal. The cost estimation accounted for the consumables, equipment, and human resource time costs used for environmental surveillance from sample selection until pathogen detection and overhead costs for the projects. Costs are reported in 2021 US$ and reported as costs per month, per sample and person per year. The estimated costs for environmental surveillance range from $6,175 to $8,272 per month (Blantyre site) and $16,756 to $30,050 (Kathmandu site). The number of samples processed per month ranged from 84 to 336 at the Blantyre site and 96 to 250 at the Kathmandu site. Consumables costs are variable costs influenced by the number of samples processed and are a large share of the monthly costs for ES (ranging from 39% to 72%). The relatively higher costs per month for the Kathmandu site were attributable to the higher allocation of dedicated human resources and equipment to environmental surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 compared to the Blantyre site where these resources were shared with other activities. The average cost per sample ranged from $25 to $74 (Blantyre) and $120 to $175 (Kathmandu). There were associated economies of scale for human resources and equipment costs with increased sample processing and sharing of resources with other activities. The cost per person in the catchment area per year ranged from $0.07 to $0.10 in Blantyre and $0.07 to $0.13 in Kathmandu. Environmental surveillance may be a low-cost early warning signal for SARS-CoV-2 that can complement other SARS-CoV2 monitoring efforts.

Fresh water is becoming scarce in many parts of the world. Deteriorating ecosystems, increasing population, changing lifestyles have intensified fresh water scarcity in many urban areas. Using Mahadev Khola watershed as a case, the present study investigates the reasons for decreasing fresh water availability in Bhaktapur municipality. Perceptions of water services among both upstream and downstream communities were collected; data of water supply and time series GIS data of land use change were analyzed. Growth in human population, urbanization, haphazard extraction of water in upstream and downstream areas, pollution of river, and damaged water pipes have led to reduction in fresh water availability in the municipality. Fresh water supply can be improved by implementing a carefully designed integrated water management master plan that incorporates ways to address all the causes of water scarcity. The master plan of Bhaktapur municipality could include an incentive mechanism, such as Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES), in which downstream consumers (municipality population, farmers and industries) provide financial and/or non-financial rewards to the upstream communities for protecting and managing forest ecosystem for water-conserving activities and for not applying hazardous agrochemicals in their fields.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prevalence and intensity and examine the risk factors of soil transmitted helminth (STH; i.e., roundworm [Ascaris lumbricoides], hookworms [Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus], and whipworm [Trichuris trichiura]) infections in Nepal. Five hundred and ninety-four adults (256 men and 338 women) were selected via convenience sampling from five communities in Nepal. The Kato-Katz method was used to assess the prevalence and intensity of STH infection in this population. Prevalence of STH infection ranged from 3.3% in Birendranagar in Chitwan, 3.5% in Kuleshor in Kathmandu, 11.7% in Kanyam in Ilam, 17.0% in Dhikurpokhari in Kaski and 51.4% in Khokana in Lalitpur District [corrected]. Multivariable regression analysis revealed that not using soap for hand-washing was significantly associated with the prevalence and infection intensity of roundworm, hookworms and whipworm. Similarly, not wearing sandals or shoes outside was significantly associated with the prevalence and infection intensity of roundworm and hookworms, but not with infection intensity of whipworm. Literacy, being underweight or overweight, anemia and occupation were not associated with prevalence and intensity of roundworm and hookworms infection, but there was an association between occupation and the prevalence of whipworm infection. STH infection was associated with individual hygiene behavior, but not with nutritional status or socio-demographic characteristics. Health policy focusing on changing individual hygiene behaviors might be useful in addressing STH infection in Nepal.

Nutrient cycling in the soil-plant ecosystem is an essential component of sustainable agriculture. Human excreta though have high nutrient value is being neglected and simply dumped as waste. Out of the human excreta, urine has high nitrogenous fertilizer value than feces. Hence by separating urine in ECOSAN toilet, it can be of great use in fulfilling the fertilizer demand of the country. The main objective of this study is to assess the effect of human urine on crop yield and to find out the appropriate urine dose and time of application to different crops. The study shows that urine can act as effective as a chemical fertilizer and can be used as an efficient source of plant nutrients. In general, 2-3 splits urine application in addition with phosphorus and potash fertilizer gave the comparable result with that of chemical fertilizer. Though there is no statistical difference in production of the crops, the average yield was found to be higher in the application of chemical fertilizer in all crops except in wheat. From the study, it can be concluded that any crops can be grown using urine as a fertilizer without significant reduction in the yield if nutrient losses during handling could minimize. The study recommends the further study in a long-term urine application trial to verify the obtained result and also to observe the effect of urine on soil properties and plant health as well as on the efficacy of urine along with compost in crop production. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajn.v2i0.7532 Agronomy Journal of Nepal (Agron JN) Vol. 2: 2011 pp.168-172

Surface water pollution is one of the serious environmental problems in urban centers in Nepal due to the discharge of untreated wastewater into the river-system, turning them into open sewers. Wastewater treatment plants are almost non-existent in the country except for a few in the Kathmandu Valley and even these are not functioning well. Successful implementation of a few constructed wetland systems within the past three years has attracted attention to this promising technology. A two-staged subsurface flow constructed wetland for hospital wastewater treatment and constructed wetlands for treatment of greywater and septage is now becoming a demonstration site of constructed wetland systems in Nepal. Beside these systems, five constructed wetlands have already been designed and some are under construction for the treatment of leachate and septage in Pokhara municipality, wastewater in Kathmandu University, two hospitals and a school. This paper discusses the present condition and treatment performance of constructed wetlands that are now in operation. Furthermore, the concept of the treatment wetlands under construction is also described here. With the present experience, several recommendations are pointed out for the promotion of this technology in the developing countries.