September 6, 2010

Nepal declares bird-flu free status

Nepalese routine surveillance has revealed no samples positive for H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

The veterinary authorities have sent Follow Up Report No. 3 dated September 2 to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).  According to the report, there have been no outbreaks of HPAI since March 2010.

Furthermore, in the post-operative surveillance period from March 30, 2010 to August 12, 2010, commercial poultry farms, backyard poultry and wet markets were visited for active surveillance. During this time 2,731 households and 562 farms were visited.

A total of 2,384 samples (702 tracheal swabs, 938 cloacal swabs, 159 serums, 438 fresh faeces and 147 dead birds) were tested.

All samples were found negative for HPAI virus. There was no evidence of antibody against HPAI virus in the tested serum.