Bird Flu Outbreak Confirmed in 23 Locations Across Nepal During Chaitra

Kathmandu. This year, bird flu has been detected in 23 locations during the month of Chaitra alone. Dr. Umesh Dahal, Director General of the Department of Livestock Services, confirmed that the disease was identified in 23 places throughout Chaitra, noting that no cases had been reported prior to this month.

The first cases of the year were reported on Chaitra 6 in Sundarharaicha and Urlabari municipalities of Morang district. According to the Director General, the outbreaks have been identified in Sunsari (12 locations), Morang (seven locations), Jhapa (two locations), Chitwan (one location), and Kathmandu (one location). He stated that the affected areas have been brought under control to prevent further spread.

He further reported that 104,000 chickens and ducks have been culled in these areas. Bird flu was also detected in crows within the Tribhuvan University premises in Kathmandu. Following the spread of the infection in Sunsari, Jhapa, and Morang, a ban on the transportation of livestock and poultry has been imposed in those districts, Dr. Dahal added.

“We have declared the affected areas as bird flu zones, and emergency disease investigation teams have carried out the culling of the poultry,” he said. “Our control measures have ensured that the infection has not been detected in many other samples.” The government culls ducks and chickens following an outbreak and provides 75 percent compensation to the affected farmers.