KIRTIPUR: The government has intensified emergency measures to control bird flu in affected areas and prevent its further spread.
Director General of the Department of Livestock Services, Dr. Umesh Dahal, said around 515,000 birds from 72 farms across 10 districts where the infection has been confirmed have been culled. Layer chickens and indigenous breeds have been the most affected.
He said the rapid action teams deployed under government instructions have also destroyed around 700,000 eggs and 183 tonnes of poultry feed.
According to Dahal, bird flu was first detected in Jhapa, Morang, and Sunsari about seven weeks ago and has since spread to Mahottari, Bara, Chitwan, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, and recently Nawalparasi.
“There is no treatment for this disease. The only option is to control it immediately and prevent its spread. That is why poultry products have to be destroyed. Veterinarians and animal health workers are working day and night to contain it,” he said.
He added that Kathmandu Valley remains at risk, although the infection has been largely brought under control in Chitwan and other affected areas.
To prevent further transmission, authorities have also decided that poultry businesses in affected areas may resume operations only after a period of around two months following culling and disinfection.
Meanwhile, under the Bird Flu Control Regulations, 2078, farmers whose poultry and related products are destroyed are entitled to 75 percent compensation of the cost price. Dahal said the compensation amount varies by district and will be determined by a committee including the Chief District Officer and senior officials.
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