Nearly 100 poultry farms affected across
KATHMANDU, JUNE 26
The Department of Livestock Services has intensified surveillance and deployed technical teams across the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding districts as it races to contain the spread of bird flu, which has now affected nearly 100 poultry farms in 11 districts.
The department said the highest risk remains in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur and Kavrepalanchok, where laboratory testing and field monitoring have been stepped up to prevent further transmission.
Director General Dr Umesh Dahal said the outbreak, which began about three months ago, has spread to 11 districts, prompting authorities to place disease control measures on high priority. Infected poultry farms have been depopulated, with birds, eggs and poultry feed destroyed to contain the virus.
The latest update comes a day after authorities confirmed that more than 48,000 chickens had been culled in Bhaktapur alone following fresh outbreaks in Changunarayan and Suryabinayak municipalities. According to the District Livestock Service Office, 48,173 chickens were destroyed after avian influenza was confirmed through laboratory tests.
Nationwide, the disease has so far been detected at nearly 100 poultry farms, affecting around 570,000 birds since the first outbreak was reported in Morang in March. Control measures have also resulted in the destruction of nearly one million eggs and 195,485 kilograms of poultry feed.
Within the Valley, bird flu has been confirmed at poultry farms in Chandragiri, Kirtipur, Tokha, Tarkeshwar, Godawari, Changunarayan and Suryabinayak, among other areas.
Authorities have urged poultry farmers not to introduce new chicks into affected farms for at least one and a half months and to maintain strict biosecurity measures.
Dr Dahal warned that bird flu is highly contagious and that, in the absence of an effective vaccine or treatment, culling infected and exposed birds remains the most effective method of containing the disease. He also cautioned that the virus has the potential to infect humans, calling on poultry farmers and consumers to remain vigilant.
The outbreak has already disrupted public facilities. The Central Zoo in Jawalakhel remains closed until further notice after bird flu was detected in crows and pigeons found dead inside the zoo. Subsequent laboratory tests also confirmed infections in several bird species and some mammals, including civet cats and clouded leopards.
To coordinate the response, the department has formed a central Bird Flu Coordination Committee led by the director general, while district-level coordination committees headed by chief district officers have also been activated.
Information Officer Mukul Upadhyay said poultry farmers whose birds, eggs and feed are destroyed under official disease-control measures are eligible for compensation of up to 75 percent of the assessed cost, based on rates determined by district coordination committees after verification.