Kathmandu. The Ministry of Health and Food and Hygiene has intensified the management of vaccines and essential health supplies as the risk of cholera infection has increased in flood-affected areas.

The ministry on Tuesday sent 80,523 doses (23 boxes) of cholera vaccine along with 10 freeze-free vaccine carriers, 220 ice packs of 0.6 litre capacity and 8 refrigerated tags to Nuwakot.

Vaccines have already been sent to Rasuwa through helicopters. A vaccination campaign against cholera is going on in Rasuwa from Thursday.

According to the Ministry, the vaccination campaign is to be launched by prioritizing the prevention of infection in the affected areas as the risk of cholera and other water-borne diseases may increase when the drinking water and sanitation systems are affected by the floods.