Kathmandu, January 5:

Following the reported outbreak of Avian Influenza in bordering Indian state of West Bengal a few days ago, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives today directed local administrations

in the areas bordering the state to fully prohibit the import of birds, ducks and poultry products from India.

The Ministry today called on all concerned to be on high alert to prevent a possible outbreak of the deadly disease in Nepal.

“We need to be extra alert as there is a high risk of transmission of the disease in the country,” said the ministry spokesperson Dr Hari Dahal, adding, “We request all not to eat and even touch white eggs.”

The outbreak of bird flu was reported a few days ago in Darjeeling and Malad in West Bengal. Darjeeling is merely 13 kilometres away from Nepal.

The Ministry has also directed local administration to take action against anyone violating the government’s instruction.

A meeting of the avian flu experts and government officials held at the Ministry today also decided to deploy a central team to Jhapa district to take necessary measures to avoid the outbreak of the disease in Nepal.

It has also instructed people to report to Animal Service Department or the ministry if their birds and chickens died unusually.

Dr Dahal also said the government had made arrangements to deploy mobile teams to border areas for regular monitoring.

The meeting also decided to direct Animal Service Department to keep stock of necessary drugs and equipment and assess human resources available in the department. It also decided not to allow long leave for concerned technicians keeping in view the possible outbreak of the disease in the country.

Though the outbreaks of bird flu have been recorded in bordering countries India and

China, there is no evidence of the same in Nepal so far.

According to Dr Dahal, the annual transaction of poultry business in Nepal is around Rs 17 billion.