July 16, 2012

Nepal declared HPAI-free

Nepal has declared the state to be free from HPAI as of July 8, after surveillance did not detect fresh cases within live bird markets, water bird areas, and the outbreak area itself.

The World Animal Health Organisation (OIE) received a report from the director general of the Department of Livestock Services, Dr Nar Bahadur Rajwar, on July 10, that Nepal is declaring itself bird flu -free.

In March the stamping out, cleaning, disinfection disposal and sealing of the infected farm was completed. Following that, post-operative surveillance of the affected zone was intensified with a total of 3,123 samples being taken for monitoring. None of the samples tested positive for HPAI, and no further evidence for HPAI has been found for more than 90 days, following the last outbreak. Nepal has therefore declared the event to be resolved.