Bird flu alert in 26 districts in Nepal

Kathmandu, Jan 20 (ANI): Nepal Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has issued bird flu alert in 26 districts bordering India in view of the possible spread of the disease.

According to Nepalnews, the ministry has said surveillance has been stepped up in points and highways in these districts in order to prevent the import of birds and poultry products from India.

Minister for Agriculture Jayprakash Gupta has asked international community and donor agencies to provide help to Nepal to fight the disease.

He issued strict instruction to officials working at the Indo-Nepal border check points and quarantines in border areas to pay special attention to their task.

The culling operations started on Sunday to control possible spread of the disease. Some 1,500 birds have been culled so far.

Nepal government has declared Mechinagar as emergency region after the blood samples of the birds in the area tested positive for avian flu in UK's laboratory.

Avian influenza commonly known, as bird flu is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses and it can also infect humans. Avian influenza is very contagious among birds and can quickly make domesticated birds sick and kill them. (ANI)