Bird flu outbreak: Over 85,000 poultry culled in three Koshi Province districts
The culling included 71,000 layer chickens, 7,000 broiler parent birds, 1,000 broilers, 4,000 chicks, and 2,325 local poultry.
KATHMANDU: Koshi Province is battling a severe bird flu outbreak, prompting the culling of approximately 85,000 poultry across three districts.
According to Dr. Gangaram Yadav, Senior Livestock Development Officer at the Directorate of Animal, Poultry, and Fisheries Development in Biratnagar, H5N1 infection was confirmed in 22 commercial farms across Jhapa, Morang, and Sunsari districts.
Specifically, eight farms in Morang, two in Jhapa, and twelve in Sunsari were affected.
The culling included 71,000 layer chickens, 7,000 broiler parent birds, 1,000 broilers, 4,000 chicks, and 2,325 local poultry.
Alongside the birds, 57 ducks, 227,000 eggs, and 28,000 kilograms of feed were also destroyed to prevent further spread.
To contain the outbreak, the Directorate has imposed strict surveillance around the infected farms and temporarily halted the import and export of poultry and related products.
Enhanced monitoring has been initiated in other districts to prevent transmission.
Dr. Yadav warned that the H5N1 virus can potentially spread from birds to humans, urging the public and farmers to remain vigilant and follow biosecurity measures.
