Bird flu cases rise in Kathmandu Valley as outbreak reaches 82 locations  in 11 districts

Kathmandu: Bird flu infections have been confirmed in 82 locations across 11 districts, with the outbreak spreading rapidly in the Kathmandu Valley over the past three months.

According to the Department of Livestock Services, the H5N1 virus was first detected in Morang in March and has since spread to Jhapa, Sunsari, Mahottari, Bara, Chitwan, Nawalparasi, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur and Kavrepalanchok.

Director General at the Department of Livestock Services, Dr. Umesh Dahal said nearly 570,000 chickens have been culled to contain the outbreak.

Authorities have also destroyed nearly 1 million eggs and around 2 thousand quintals of poultry feed.

The Department has established a Bird Flu Disease Control Room and deployed technical teams to affected areas in coordination with federal, provincial and local authorities.

The outbreak has been brought under control in several districts, including Bara, Mahottari, Chitwan, Nawalparasi, Morang, Jhapa and Sunsari.