Bird Flu Confirmed in Chitwan, Poultry and Products Destroyed Amid Increased Vigilance

Hetauda. Bird flu infection has been confirmed in Chitwan. Following the detection of bird flu in Bharatpur Metropolitan City-4, a large number of poultry and poultry products were destroyed.

According to the Chitwan Animal Services Office, on Friday, Chaitra 15, poultry, eggs, and feed at two poultry farms in Bharatpur-4 were destroyed. In accordance with the 'Bird Flu Control Regulation, 2078', chickens, eggs, and feed were destroyed to control the disease. A total of 18,863 birds and 55,440 eggs were destroyed from both farms.

From RN Krishi Farm, operated by Raju Acharya, 913 local chickens aged 3.5 months and 1,300 kg of feed were destroyed, while from Kandel Poultry Farm, operated by Balibhadra Kandel, a total of 17,950 layer chickens—5,000 aged 5 months and 12,950 aged 15 months—were destroyed. From that farm, 55,440 eggs, 2,400 kg of feed, 9,000 kg of maize, and 350 kg of soybean cake were also destroyed.

Ministry Directs Heightened Alertness

After the bird flu infection was confirmed in Bharatpur, Chitwan, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development of Bagmati Province has directed increased vigilance. Deputy Secretary of the Ministry, Sushil KC, informed that awareness and control activities have been intensified due to the risk of the disease spreading to Chitwan and neighboring districts.

According to Deputy Secretary KC, the necessary budget from the federal government for destroying poultry in the affected areas has been received and sent to the respective districts. For now, the budget for staff deployed in poultry destruction and other administrative expenses has been arranged at the district level, and the ministry will arrange additional funds if needed. He stated that details are being prepared for the federal government to provide compensation for the poultry culled during disease control.

'We have directed the districts to adopt high vigilance and conduct public awareness programs as the outbreak could spread to other areas,' he said. 'Efforts are being made to contain the currently infected area and prevent its spread to other areas. Manpower and budget mobilization for disease control have been completed at the district level.'

He mentioned that the ministry has directed the districts to coordinate to stop the transportation of poultry products from the infected areas. According to Deputy Secretary KC, the 'Bird Flu Disease Control Technical Committee,' chaired by the Chief District Officer, has the authority to make decisions, including halting transportation. The ministry has informed the relevant offices to increase monitoring in areas at high risk of bird flu, which currently include Chitwan, Makwanpur, and Kathmandu in the province. They have been instructed to collect samples from suspected areas for testing and increase surveillance on poultry transportation.

'We have instructed a complete ban on sending poultry products out of where the outbreak has occurred,' he said. 'We have also asked to identify potential areas and send samples for testing. Since the final confirmation of the disease can only be done by the Central Animal Disease Investigation Laboratory in Kathmandu, the process of collecting samples from suspicious areas and sending them for testing has been initiated.'

According to him, although the quarantine offices at the provincial entry points are under the federal government, the provincial animal services offices are carrying out local monitoring and control activities in accordance with the Animal Health and Animal Services Act. The ministry has also urged farmers to adopt biosecurity measures and contact them if any abnormal symptoms are observed in their poultry, he added.

What is the Relief Arrangement for Farmers?

There is a relief arrangement for farmers affected by bird flu as stipulated by the Government of Nepal. Farmers whose poultry and materials were destroyed will receive relief according to the 'Criteria for Providing Relief for Items Destroyed During Bird Flu Control, 2079.'

As per the criteria, 75 percent of the prevailing market price determined by the 'Rate Determination Committee' chaired by the Chief District Officer of the respective district will be provided to the farmers as relief. For this, the concerned owner must submit an application with the necessary documents (proof of destruction, farm registration certificate, etc.) to the concerned office within 30 days from the date the poultry was destroyed.

The government has also made special incentives for the team leaders and staff deployed in bird flu control work. During the period of deployment in control work, staff are entitled to an additional allowance of one hundred percent of their prevailing salary, meal expenses, and a risk insurance coverage of 1 million rupees.