Nepal on high alert following bird flu outbreak in border areas

Kanchanpur: Nepal has adopted a high alert in Kanchanpur following the detection of bird flu in Uttarakhand, India and surrounding border areas. The District Bird Flu Disease Control Committee has intensified measures to monitor the import and export of birds and bird products, while also conducting awareness campaigns in border municipalities.

Shyam Khadka, Chief of the Veterinary Hospital and Animal Service Expert Center in the district, stated that awareness campaigns have been launched in Dodhara Chandani, Belauri, Punarbas, Bhimdatta Municipality, and Beldandi Rural Municipality, which share borders with India. “We are conducting awareness programs after confirmation of bird flu infection in the Indian border area,” Khadka said. He warned that illegal imports due to cheap prices and open borders have increased the risk of infection spreading into Nepal.

Khadka emphasized the urgency of awareness for timely control, noting that all chickens in the area would need to be culled if infection occurs. Infected chickens may die, appear lethargic, or stop feeding. He urged farmers to immediately inform veterinary authorities if such symptoms are observed.

The District Bird Flu Disease Control Committee has decided to completely ban the import of Indian chickens into Nepal. During a meeting on Tuesday, the committee adopted a high alert after reports confirmed the spread of bird flu in Bageshwar and Udham Singh Nagar in Uttarakhand, India.

The ban covers import and transportation of birds and bird-related materials from Kanchanpur, Belauri, Beldandi, Dodhara Chandani, and Bhimdatta Municipalities 1, 2, and 10. A monitoring team, comprising representatives from security agencies, veterinary hospitals, animal service centers, and quarantine offices, will enforce the decision.

Khadka confirmed that any illegal imports detected during monitoring will be strictly controlled and action will be taken according to the law.