KATHMANDU, APRIL 6 Bird flu has been reported at 23 locations across the country in the month of Chaitra alone, marking the first outbreak this year, officials said. According to Umesh Dahal, Director General of the Department of Livestock Services, no cases had been recorded prior to this month. The first cases were detected simultaneously on Chaitra 6 in Sundarharaicha and Urlabari municipalities of Morang district. Since then, infections have been confirmed at 12 locations in Sunsari, seven in Morang, two in Jhapa, and one each in Chitwan and Kathmandu. Authorities said the outbreaks have been contained, with no further spread reported. More than 104,000 chickens and ducks have been culled in affected areas to control the disease. In Kathmandu, bird flu was also detected in crows within the Tribhuvan University premises. Following the outbreak, authorities have imposed restrictions on the transportation of poultry in Sunsari, Morang and Jhapa. Officials said infected zones were declared and rapid response teams were deployed to cull birds and contain the spread. The government provides 75 percent compensation to farmers for losses incurred due to culling. (With inputs from RSS)