Bird flu strikes Nepal; 150 chickens killed

Kathmandu, Feb 21: Though the Nepal Government has announced that bird flu in the country's Kakarbhitta area is under control, avian virus has surfaced again in Sharanamati of Jhapa district.

This development was confirmed after over 150 chickens had died in the Indian border town located 35 km southwest of Kakarbhitta. A sample sent to London has shown positive results.

According to Nepalnews, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has declared the area surrounding Sharanamati a 'bird-flu affected area' and increased surveillance along the border.

Hari Dahal, a spokesperson of the ministry, said a Rapid Response Team (RRT) has already been dispatched to control the virus. .

The government has also banned the transportation of poultry products throughout the country.

The first bird flu outbreak was confirmed in Kakarbhitta on January 16. The government had killed 28,000 chickens in the area to control the virus.

Earlier, Agriculture Minister Jayprakash Gupta had asked the international community and donor agencies to provide help to Nepal to fight the disease.

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

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