High alert measures put in place in Kavre to avoid bird-flu outbreak

KAVRE, Feb 24: High alert measures have been put in place in Kavrepalanchowk – the eastern entry point of Kathmandu Valley and the country’s second largest poultry production hub – after bird-flu has been detected in some districts, including federal capital Kathmandu.

In this connection, screening of birds has been tightened at main entry point of the district and stakeholders’ discussion at local level has also been ramped up. Panauti municipality organized an interaction with stakeholders on Wednesday with commercial poultry entrepreneurs of its area.

At the programme, municipality mayor Bhim Neupane urged the entrepreneurs to place high alert against bird-flu spread and not to hide the information about the flu outbreak. Livestock Specialist Dr Sudip Humagain urged the entrepreneurs to keep vigilance on farm management and sanitation so as to avoid loss and damage caused by bird-flu.

Adviser to Poultry Entrepreneurs Association Madhusudan Guragain said invasion of new diseases has eroded business opportunities which demands the adoption of new security strategies. Last week Banepa municipality also hosted a discussion with local stakeholders on contagious disease on birds and security screening in the checkpoints bordering with neighbouring districts.

The municipality has intensified anti-bird-flu campaign in different places. It may be noted that bird-flu was detected in two places of Morang, Chitwan and Kathmandu of late.