MAKAWANPUR: Bird flu scare continues to persist in Makawanpur after tests confirmed spread of H5N1 virus in the district. Authorities have culled more than 50,000 chickens, 9,015 eggs and 1,463 kilograms of bird feed after the virus was detected in poultry farms in the region. A sample test confirmed the presence of influenza virus in poultries situated at Hatiya, and Kamane in Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City in Makawanpur district, leading the authorities to step up prevention measures. According to Chief District Officer Asman Tamang, officials are only allowing imports of chicks to enter the district after they are cleared by a veterinarian in a bid to prevent further spread. 'The infected chickens at 35 poultry farms were culled in three phases while the officials have spread disinfectants in 82 additional chicken farms,' Dr Sushila Shrestha of Centre for Bird Flu Control and Prevention said. 'Moreover, 25 samples have been taken to the National Avian Disease Investigation Laboratory, Bharatpur for tests.'