January 21, 2009
Nepal culls thousands of poultry after bird flu outbreak
Health workers in Nepal have culled thousands of poultry following the discovery of bird flu in the eastern part of the Himalayan country, officials said Tuesday (Jan 20).
Nepalese government administrator Laxman Hamal said over 10,000 chickens and ducks have been destroyed in the last four days.
Hamal said rapid response teams were mobilised in the area, 310 kilometres (190 miles) east of Kathmandu, to start mass slaughter of poultry to prevent the virus from spreading in other parts of the town.
He added that they have banned the sale, transport and consumption of poultry products and no poultry farming will be allowed for at least three months in the crisis-hit area.
Last week the government declared the area an emergency zone after the discovery of the country's first case of bird flu.
Officials at the Ministry of Agriculture said 26 districts bordering India have been put on high alert to prevent imports of poultry and related produce.
