KATHMANDU: Bird flu infections are rising across Nepal, with outbreaks confirmed at 82 locations in 11 districts, prompting authorities to intensify surveillance and disease control measures.
According to the Department of Livestock Services, the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has spread rapidly in the Kathmandu Valley over the past three months, with the highest risk currently concentrated in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, and Kavrepalanchok.
The outbreak was first detected in Morang in March and has since spread to Jhapa, Sunsari, Mahottari, Bara, Chitwan, Nawalparasi, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, and Kavrepalanchok.
Department Director General Dr. Umesh Dahal said authorities have culled 569,858 birds to contain the disease. In addition, 989,313 eggs and 1,954.85 quintals of poultry feed have been destroyed as part of containment efforts.
The Department has established a Bird Flu Disease Control Room under the leadership of the Deputy Director General and deployed technical teams to affected areas in coordination with federal, provincial, and local governments.
Officials said the outbreak has been brought under control in several districts, including Bara, Mahottari, Chitwan, Nawalparasi, Jhapa, Morang, and Sunsari. However, heightened vigilance remains in parts of the Kathmandu Valley, where infections continue to be detected.
To strengthen monitoring, the Department has also begun gene sequencing of the H5N1 virus in collaboration with the National Public Health Laboratory to identify any potential genetic mutations in the circulating strain.
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