KAVRE, June 30: More than 40,000 ducks and chickens have been culled in Kavre following an outbreak of bird flu, district livestock authorities said.
The District Livestock Service Office in Dhulikhel said 40,729 commercially raised ducks and layer chickens have been destroyed after the virus caused poultry deaths over the past several weeks.
Senior Veterinary Officer Dr. Bajra Kishor Thakur said bird flu infections were confirmed at several poultry farms in Banepa Municipality Wards 6 and 13 and Panauti Municipality Wards 7, 8 and 9, prompting authorities to cull the birds to contain the outbreak.
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According to Thakur, preliminary findings suggest the disease spread further because dead chickens and ducks were dumped indiscriminately in rivers, bushes and other open areas. Crows and other wild birds are believed to have carried the virus to new locations.
He said the office has stepped up testing, outbreak management and restrictions on the transportation of poultry to contain the disease.
Officials said delays in receiving laboratory test results have slowed the response of provincial and local governments, allowing the infection to spread further.
Thakur urged commercial poultry farmers to strictly enforce biosecurity measures. He advised farm operators to restrict unnecessary visitors from entering poultry sheds, ensure anyone entering follows proper safety protocols, regularly disinfect sheds and equipment, and maintain strict hygiene standards while transporting poultry.
Authorities have also tightened surveillance at the Nala, Roshi and Khawa checkpoints to prevent the illegal transport of poultry and the movement of birds without health inspections.
Earlier in March, authorities decided to adopt heightened precautions in Kavre and Sindhupalchok after bird flu outbreaks were detected in poultry in other parts of the country, warning that the virus could spread to the two districts.
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