Health team begins works at H5N1-affected zone in Chitwan

Chitwan –A squad from the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division under the Health Ministry, Kathmandu which arrived here Saturday in the aftermath of the detection of bird flu virus in fowls has started monitoring in the areas affected by the virus. 

The five-member technical team led by Dr Hemanta Ojha took stock of health condition of the people of Sutarni of Khairhani Municipality-9 in east Chitwan. 

According to the District Public Health Office, Chitwan's chief Bijay Kumar Jha, the team collected blood samples Sunday. Its preliminary finding is the H5N1 avian influenza virus seems not be transmitted to humans yet. The team has urged the people to remain high alert to possible risk of its infection. The team also acquired information about the process of destroying fowls and poultry products, Jha added. 

Meanwhile, those poultry farmers who earlier were reluctant to kill fowls reared by them have agreed for so. A meeting held among poultry farmers, suppliers and the government technical team Saturday reached to an agreement to this end, Chitwan's Chief District Officer Jitendra Basnet said. 

It may be noted that some parts of Sutarni in Khairahani-9 have been declared the 'affected zone' following the confirmation of bird flu prevalence there. Import and export of fowls and poultry products has been banned and killings of fowls in the affected areas has neared final phase.

Though the district was in high alert, following the report about the detection of this virus on Nepal-India border earlier, it spreads into the district. The central laboratory on May 14 confirmed the bird flu prevalence there. 

Over Rs 70 billion has been invested in poultry farming in Nepal and over 50 percent is centered in the district. ---