Bird flu spreading in Bagmati region

According to the Bagmati Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, bird flu has spread in six districts of the state. Secretary of the Ministry Dr. Sharan Kumar Pandey informed that bird flu has been detected in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Chitwan, Makwanpur, and Sindhupalchowk districts so far. According to him, the bird flu has caused an estimated loss of over Rs 30 million so far.

The infection has been spreading in different districts of the state since January 31. Secretary Pandey also said that 58,261 birds, 22,034 eggs, and 11,439 kg grains have been safely destroyed in the bird flu outbreak so far. Secretary at the Ministry Pandey informed that complete disinfection work has been done in the affected areas and samples are being collected and monitored to prevent it from spreading elsewhere.

Due to bird flu, 19,506 birds, 5,652 eggs, and 4,108 kg grains have been destroyed in Kathmandu. Similarly in Chitwan nine thousand 670 birds, two thousand 386 eggs, one thousand 500 kg grains, in Bhaktapur 24 thousand 319 birds, 13 thousand 90 eggs, two thousand 900 kg grains, in Makwanpur 316 birds, 16 eggs, 82 kg grains. In Lalitpur, 2,262 birds, 900 kg grains, and in Sindhupalchowk, 2,018 birds and 1,950 kg grains have been destroyed.

Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Pandey said that 57,114 different breeds of bird flu have been destroyed in six districts. He said that preparations are being made to compensate the affected farmers in collaboration with the federal and local governments.

He informed that the government has a plan to provide compensation to the affected farmers as per the criteria and policy set by the federal government. He said that the ministry is taking various initiatives for timely diagnosis and control of bird flu. He said that the scope of testing has been widened to prevent the spread of bird flu in other districts of the state. He said that sample collection, testing, and monitoring have been intensified to prevent the spread of infection from one area to another.