Bhaktapur declared bird flu-affected area

15 August, KATHMANDU: The government on Wednesday announced Bhaktapur, a bird flu-hit zone, after many efforts to control disease became unsuccessful.

Besides, Mulpani, Gothatar and Pepsikola areas adjoining to the western belt of the district, settlements on the Manohara river bank, jungle on the border of Bhaktapur and Kavrepalanchowk, Nakhel and areas into the Gundu hill have been declared the disease-hit areas.

A meeting of the concerned government bodies held today under the convenorship of Chief District Officer of Bhaktapur and bird flu control technicians’ committee coordinator Himnath Dawadi agreed to implement the government announcement from Thursday.

A rapid response team will take anti bird-flu measures from 8:00 am Thursday as per the provisions in the standard operating procedure for control and containment of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Nepal, it is learnt.

The meeting requested the government to provide appropriate compensation to poultry farmers suffering loss, and to waive their bank loan.