Positive Progress Made in Controlling Bird Flu Infection
August 24, Chitwan – Business operators have reported positive progress in controlling the recent bird flu outbreak. They attribute the containment of the infection to the effective measures implemented by the government sector after the infection was detected. Vinod Pokharel, President of the Nepal Layers Poultry Farmers Association, stated that awareness and necessary precautions helped prevent significant damage.
According to Pokharel, the Poultry Farmers Association and the Central Committee of the Nepal Hatchery Industry Association have formally expressed their gratitude to the Department of Animal Service. The appreciation letter highlighted, “All staff worked around the clock to control the bird flu, while conveying awareness messages and taking precautions to protect the national self-reliant poultry business from collapse, ensuring minimal negative impact on the general public. Their contribution is invaluable.”
Pokharel added that thanks to the department’s initiatives and continuous efforts, further losses in the poultry sector were averted. He emphasized that problems faced by farmers and business operators were promptly addressed, resulting in minimization of damages – a success story demonstrated recently. Rajendra Lamichhane, Central President of the Nepal Hatchery Industry Association, met with the department’s Director General and his team to express gratitude for their active role in bird flu control. He noted that approximately 99.99 percent of the disease is under control and no new infections have been detected elsewhere.
Lamichhane highlighted that poultry is the only self-reliant agricultural enterprise in Nepal, currently undergoing commercialization and modernization, contributing roughly three percent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product. It provides direct employment to about 500,000 people. With investments amounting to approximately NPR 160 billion in Nepal’s poultry sector, Lamichhane stressed the importance of appropriate government initiatives for its protection. Business operators have reported no new bird flu infections in Nepal since July 17.
Director General of the Department of Animal Service, Dr. Umesh Dahal, reported that this year a total of 835,563 birds across Nepal have been culled. Additionally, 1,165,663 eggs and 245,035 kilograms of feed have been destroyed. Of these, 367,835 birds were culled only in the Kathmandu Valley and Kavre districts. Dr. Dahal said the government has promptly provided relief to affected farmers. An additional NPR 500 million was allocated in the budget, bringing the total funds to NPR 520 million. To date, relief payments totaling NPR 507,115,704 have been distributed to 104 farmers and farms.
“Avian disease research laboratories nationwide have accelerated testing efforts. Thanks to the government’s proactive measures and the cooperation of farmers, bird flu is now under control and the risk of further infection has significantly decreased,” Dr. Dahal stated. As infections decline, consumption of eggs and poultry meat has increased, allowing farmers to obtain fair prices. Previously, decreased prices during outbreaks had heavily impacted farmers, leading to egg spoilage and forced destruction of poultry.