The central veterinary hospital in Kathmandu has confirmed that the death of about one-and-half dozen birds in eastern district of Morang on Saturday was not due to avian influenza also know as “bird flu.”
Talking to Nepalnews on Monday, programme director at the Directorate of Animal Health, Dr. Dhan Raj Ratala, said, "Our 'quick test' has confirmed that these birds did not die of bird flu." He, however, said scientists were carrying out alternative lab tests for further confirmation of the disease.
According to Dr. Ratala, remains of dead birds arrived Kathmandu only on Friday evening due to transportation blockade in the districts. "However, we carried out the tests overnight as soon as we received it," he said. “The network we have set up to check any outbreak of the disease worked efficiently despite difficulties created due to transportation strike,” he added.
Over one and half dozen birds – including pigeons, chicken and crows – were found dead at the houses of Kiran Shahi and Bijay Shrestha in Nepali tole of Rangeli-1 in Morang district. Villagers suspected the death was due to bird flu. Fear of villagers had heightened after flying birds began plummeting to the ground.
There is only one lab in the country – the central veterinary lab in the capital – that can test bird flu. The government had said it had deployed a number of surveillance teams throughout the kingdom to test fresh outbreak of disease among birds. "The teams are only for early report of any suspecting incidents or arrange for transportation of the remains of the birds to the central lab at the earliest possible. Bird flu tests are not available in the districts," said Dr. Ratala.
Morang District Public Health Office (DPHO) has already launched a public awareness campaign to make common people aware about the bird flue epidemic.
World Health Organisation (WHO) has asked Nepal to remain on high alert after bird flu virus was detected in neighbouring India. However, officials say the dreaded virus hasn’t been reported within the country as yet and that they are taking precautionary measures to stop its outbreak.
Amid fear of the possible outbreak of bird flu, poultry business has already dropped by more than 80 percent in the country, according to entrepreneurs. Associations involved in poultry business are organising chicken festivals around the country to revive the ailing market.
Thousands of people flocked into the chicken festival organised in Kathmandu on Friday and tasted roasted chicken.
Talking to Nepalnews on Monday, programme director at the Directorate of Animal Health, Dr. Dhan Raj Ratala, said, "Our 'quick test' has confirmed that these birds did not die of bird flu." He, however, said scientists were carrying out alternative lab tests for further confirmation of the disease.
According to Dr. Ratala, remains of dead birds arrived Kathmandu only on Friday evening due to transportation blockade in the districts. "However, we carried out the tests overnight as soon as we received it," he said. “The network we have set up to check any outbreak of the disease worked efficiently despite difficulties created due to transportation strike,” he added.
Over one and half dozen birds – including pigeons, chicken and crows – were found dead at the houses of Kiran Shahi and Bijay Shrestha in Nepali tole of Rangeli-1 in Morang district. Villagers suspected the death was due to bird flu. Fear of villagers had heightened after flying birds began plummeting to the ground.
There is only one lab in the country – the central veterinary lab in the capital – that can test bird flu. The government had said it had deployed a number of surveillance teams throughout the kingdom to test fresh outbreak of disease among birds. "The teams are only for early report of any suspecting incidents or arrange for transportation of the remains of the birds to the central lab at the earliest possible. Bird flu tests are not available in the districts," said Dr. Ratala.
Morang District Public Health Office (DPHO) has already launched a public awareness campaign to make common people aware about the bird flue epidemic.
World Health Organisation (WHO) has asked Nepal to remain on high alert after bird flu virus was detected in neighbouring India. However, officials say the dreaded virus hasn’t been reported within the country as yet and that they are taking precautionary measures to stop its outbreak.
Amid fear of the possible outbreak of bird flu, poultry business has already dropped by more than 80 percent in the country, according to entrepreneurs. Associations involved in poultry business are organising chicken festivals around the country to revive the ailing market.
Thousands of people flocked into the chicken festival organised in Kathmandu on Friday and tasted roasted chicken.
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