Bird Flu in Nepal: Kathmandu Valley Becomes a Hotspot Again After 12 Years, Concerning Situation and Prevention Measures

Since bird flu was confirmed in Morang last Chaitra, nearly a dozen districts across Nepal have been affected, according to officials. They report that the Kathmandu Valley has now become a ‘hotspot’ for bird flu. Over the past three months, the Department of Livestock Services has reported the destruction of approximately 550,000 chickens, more than one million eggs, and over 200,000 kilograms of poultry feed nationwide. Previously, in 2070 BS, Bhaktapur district was declared a crisis zone due to bird flu infection. Officials state that this time the infection has emerged extremely severely in the valley.

Jawalakhel Central Zoo in Lalitpur district of the valley has been closed to outside visitors since Asar 5. This followed the discovery of dead crows and pigeons nearby, prompting testing of the zoo birds on Jestha 30. On Asar 4, the National Trust for Nature Conservation spokesperson Rachana Shah confirmed the presence of bird flu infection. So far, deaths have occurred among single-horned rhinoceros, vultures, savaris, and mammals including species such as the jungle cat and leopard cat.

Umesh Dahal, Director General of the Department of Livestock Services, described the bird flu situation in Kathmandu Valley as worrisome. “The outbreak has not yet been contained in Kathmandu. It is expected to take a few more days. Among many samples tested recently, only some showed the presence of the H5 virus, so we hope the situation will gradually come under control,” he said. Kathmandu previously experienced a major bird flu outbreak in 2070 BS.

Bird flu first appeared in Nepal in Jhapa during 2065/66 BS and has since appeared sporadically in various regions. Bird flu or avian influenza is a viral infection affecting birds and some other animals, primarily caused by the H5N1 virus. Transmission to humans remains rare.