March 23, Kathmandu – Throughout the month of Chaitra, bird flu has been detected in 23 different locations. According to Dr. Umesh Dahal, Director General of the Department of Livestock Services, there were no confirmed cases of bird flu prior to Chaitra this year, but the disease was identified in 23 places during this month alone. The first cases of the year were reported simultaneously on March 19 (Chaitra 6) in two locations within Morang District—Sundarharaicha and Urlabari municipalities.
Dr. Dahal further informed that there have been 12 confirmed cases in Sunsari, 7 in Morang, 2 in Jhapa, 1 in Chitwan, and 1 in Kathmandu. He stated that efforts to control each affected area have successfully prevented further spread of the disease. According to him, a total of 104,000 poultry birds, including chickens and ducks, have been culled in the affected regions.
Bird flu was also confirmed among crows within the premises of Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu. Following the outbreak and spread of infections in Sunsari, Jhapa, and Morang districts, restrictions have been imposed on the transport of livestock and poultry in these areas. “We have officially declared the affected zones and our rapid response teams are carrying out the destruction of infected animals,” Dr. Dahal explained. “These measures have prevented further transmission of bird flu within these districts.”
The government has established a protocol to cull affected birds and provide compensation up to 75% of the loss to farmers impacted by bird flu outbreaks.
