November 14, 2013

Nepal reports new bird flu outbreaks

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) received follow-up report no. 13 on Tuesday (Nov 12) from the Nepalese veterinary authorities reporting 85 new outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza at various farms across Bagmati, Narayani and Bheri, affecting broilers, layers, parent stock birds and backyard birds.

According to the report, a total of 1,416,000 birds were found susceptible, out of which 43,691 cases and deaths were reported. The remaining 1,372,309 birds were destroyed.

According to the OIE, birds showed respiratory distress, nervous signs and all affected birds died. Cleaning and disinfection activities in the infected premises are completed.

Intensive surveillance activities are on-going throughout the country. The source of the bird flu outbreaks remains inconclusive.