CHITWAN: The recent outbreak of bird flu has come under control, with no new infections detected since July 17, according to the Department of Livestock Services.
The outbreak had severely affected poultry farmers across the country, including those in the Kathmandu Valley.
Director General Dr. Umesh Dahal said the last confirmed case was reported in Sundarijal, Gokarneshwor Municipality-1, Kathmandu. Since then, no new infections have been detected. However, surveillance and testing continue in areas surrounding previous outbreak sites.
“Bird flu is now under control. We are continuing to collect and test samples from areas surrounding previously infected locations to ensure the disease does not re-emerge,” Dahal said.
According to the Department, the outbreak was first confirmed through PCR testing at the Central Animal and Poultry Disease Research Laboratory. The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development officially declared bird flu-affected areas. The first cases were identified in Urlabari-8 and Sundar Haraicha-4 of Morang district.
Dr. Dahal said commercial layer farms were the worst affected. The virus also infected breeder flocks, commercial broilers, local chickens, ducks, turkeys and quails. In total, bird flu was detected in 11 districts.
The disease has now been fully contained in seven districts, with only the Kathmandu Valley and Kavrepalanchok reporting widespread outbreaks during the epidemic.
A total of 119 outbreak sites were recorded in Kathmandu Valley and Kavrepalanchok, including 92 in the Valley alone. Kathmandu recorded 32 outbreak sites, Lalitpur 15—including the Central Zoo—and Bhaktapur 45. Kavrepalanchok accounted for the remaining 27 affected locations.
Senior veterinarian Dr. Mukul Upadhyay said a total of 835,563 birds have been culled nationwide to contain the outbreak. Authorities also destroyed 1,165,663 eggs and 24,535 kilograms of poultry feed. In the Kathmandu Valley and Kavrepalanchok alone, 367,835 birds were culled.
The government has also provided compensation to affected farmers. According to Dr. Dahal, of the Rs 520 million allocated for relief, Rs 507.12 million has already been disbursed to 104 farmers and poultry businesses.
The Department said laboratories across the country significantly expanded testing during the outbreak, while coordinated efforts by government agencies and poultry farmers helped bring the disease under control. Dr. Upadhyay said the risk of further outbreaks is currently low.
With the decline in infections, demand for poultry meat and eggs has begun to recover, leading to improved market prices. During the outbreak, many farmers suffered heavy losses as falling demand forced them to destroy unsold chicks and poultry products.
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