Bird Flu Outbreak Triggers Massive Culling of Over 227,000 Chickens in Koshi Province

Biratnagar. The poultry industry in Koshi Province is facing a crisis following a rapid spread of bird flu. To contain the infection, the process of culling over 227,000 chickens from the province's two largest poultry farms began on Sunday, marking the largest such operation in the region to date.

According to Dr. Manoj Kumar Mahato, Chief of the Veterinary Hospital in Sunsari, 155,000 chickens at the Sunsari Poultry Farm in Ramdhuni are being culled. Approximately 7,000 chickens have already died due to the infection. A team of 110 workers has been deployed to carry out the culling.

Similarly, an infection has been detected at the Purwanchal Group farm in Budhiganga, Morang. Dr. Ajay Kumar Shah, Chief of the Veterinary Hospital in Morang, stated that preparations are complete to cull approximately 45,000 out of the 72,000 chickens at that facility.

Dr. Mahato explained that birds infected with bird flu cannot be treated with medication or chemicals. The birds are being culled humanely and then buried in deep pits dug by bulldozers, using lime and bleaching powder to ensure safety.

Previously, over 150,000 chickens had already been culled in affected areas of Sunsari and Morang. With billions in investments at risk, both small-scale farmers and large business owners are devastated. Although the government has a legal provision to provide up to 75 percent compensation for culled chickens, farmers remain concerned due to procedural delays and limited budget.

Currently, the administration has sealed the affected areas and imposed strict restrictions on the transportation of meat, eggs, and feed. Experts have advised consumers to cook meat thoroughly and urged farms to adopt strict biosecurity measures.