April 13, 2026

Bird flu hits four distircts in Nepal

The H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza, also commonly called bird flu, has spread across four districts of Nepal, a government official said early this month.

The highly pathogenic virus has been detected in 23 poultry farms in Morang, Sunsari, Jhapa and Chitwan districts, Indira Sharma, an information officer at the Department of Livestock Services, told Xinhua. This year, the bird flu was first detected in the farms in Morang district on March 18.

"We are putting all our efforts together to ensure it doesn't spread further," Sharma told Xinhua.

As per the department's report, a total of 113,608 birds, including chickens and ducks, and 211,867 eggs have been destroyed from the affected places as of April 4, Xinhua news agency reported.

H5N1 is one of several influenza viruses that causes a highly infectious respiratory disease in birds called avian influenza (or "bird flu"). Infections in mammals, including humans, have also been documented.

- Lokmat Times