KATHMANDU, April 6: Avian influenza (bird flu) has been detected in 23 locations across Nepal between mid-March and the first week of April, according to Dr Umesh Dahal, Director General of the Department of Livestock Services. No cases were reported earlier this year.
The first cases emerged on March 20 in Sundarharaicha and Urlabari municipalities of Morang. Since then, the disease has been confirmed in 12 sites in Sunsari, seven in Morang, two in Jhapa, and one each in Chitwan and Kathmandu. Dr Dahal said all affected areas have been contained, preventing further spread.
Bird flu detected in Chitwan
A total of 104,000 poultry, including chickens and ducks, have been culled in the affected regions. In Kathmandu, bird flu was also detected among crows on the Tribhuvan University premises. Following outbreaks in Sunsari, Jhapa, and Morang, authorities have imposed restrictions on poultry movement within these districts.
Dr Dahal added, “We declared bird flu zones in the affected areas and deployed emergency investigation teams to cull infected birds. Thanks to these measures, no further infections have been detected in multiple samples.”
The government provides compensation to farmers for culled poultry, covering 75% of the losses.
