Bird Flu Outbreak Growing in Nepal: Infection Confirmed at 82 Locations Across 11 Districts

Bird flu (H5N1) cases are increasing at an alarming rate in Nepal's capital, Katmandu, and its surrounding areas. Recent data from the Department of Livestock Services confirms that the infection has been detected at a total of 82 locations across 11 different districts nationwide. The outbreak, which has spread rapidly in the Katmandu Valley especially over the last three months, has prompted authorities to take extensive measures. Special precautions and a rigorous monitoring process have been initiated in affected areas to bring the disease under control and prevent further spread. Officials note that the scale of the outbreak becomes clearer with each passing day and that the situation is being closely monitored.

The first case of the outbreak was detected in March of this year in the Morang region in the east of the country. Since then, the infection has spread geographically over a wide area, reaching Jhapa, Sunsari, Mahottari, Bara, Chitwan, Nawalparasi, Katmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, and Kavrepalanchok districts. Evaluating the damage caused by the outbreak and the measures taken, Dr. Umesh Dahal, Director General of the Department of Livestock Services, announced that 569.858 poultry birds have been culled so far. This massive figure reveals the devastating impact of the virus on chicken farms and the magnitude of the crisis. The culling of animals stands out as one of the most important methods implemented to prevent the virus from causing further harm to human health and the economy.

In addition to the culling of poultry, numerous animal products were also destroyed to prevent the infection from jumping into the food chain or new areas. According to a statement by officials, a total of 989.313 eggs were safely disposed of due to outbreak suspicions or the risks they carried. Furthermore, 1.954,85 quintals (approximately 195 tons) of potentially contaminated animal feed were also destroyed and eliminated. These figures signify a massive financial loss for both farm owners and the general economy. It is emphasized that such radical interventions are inevitable against the spread rate of the disease; otherwise, the outbreak could reach uncontrollable proportions.

To effectively manage the crisis and ensure coordination, the Department of Livestock Services has activated an emergency action plan. In this context, a special 'Bird Flu Disease Control Room' was established under the leadership of the Deputy Director General of the Department. Relevant technical teams were urgently dispatched to the regions where the infection was detected and began working in collaboration with federal, provincial, and local governments. The teams are conducting field inspections, quarantining risky areas, and managing spraying and disinfection processes. This close collaboration among State agencies plays a critical role in managing the outbreak and informing the public.

As a result of intensive interventions, the infection is reported to have been successfully brought under control in some regions. It was reported that the outbreak has stopped and the situation has stabilized in Bara, Mahottari, Chitwan, and Nawalparasi districts, as well as in the Jhapa, Morang, and Sunsari regions of Koshi Province. However, vigilance remains high in Katmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, and Kavrepalanchok regions because the virus is still active. In collaboration with the National Public Health Laboratory, virus genome sequencing studies have been initiated to examine the genetic structure of the disease more closely and detect potential mutations. This scientific step is of great importance in assessing the virus's potential for human transmission.