Following the news of an outbreak of bird flu in India, the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) has banned the import of poultry products from India. WHO has also warned against the possibility of bird flu outbreak in Nepal. Around 30,000 chickens have died of H5NI virus in India’s Maharashtra state. As a precautionary measure, Nepal has also banned the import of poultry products from Thailand, Germany, and Indonesia, for instance. Though scientists at the Nepal Agricultural Research Centre are keeping a track of the bird flu virus, the laboratory tests conducted so far are yet to find the deadly strain. This does not mean that we should

not remain alert. Since Nepal has an open border with India, the chances of cross-border infection are high. The public, too, has to be cautious because despite the quarantine check-posts at the borders, the possibility of illegal entry of poultry cannot be ruled out given the present level of honesty among officials on both sides of the border.

Besides, it is the government’s duty to tell people clearly what precautions they should take against possible infection, including the risk of eating chicken. A team consisting of scientists, doctors, health workers, government officials, poultry farmers and consumers will have to monitor the health of the birds. Besides, it would be advisable to stop importing avian products like feathers and unprocessed meat. Farm owners will also have to ensure biological security within their premises. There should be reasonable restrictions on the free sale of avian products and the Department of Livestock Services should disseminate the dos and don’ts more widely. Before transporting live birds and meat products within Nepal, the traders must get a health certificate from a registered veterinary doctor. In case of death of several birds or mere suspicion of the virus, the public should immediately consult the Department of Livestock Services. Any complacency can prove too costly.