Bird flu detected in Pokhara, 3,500 chickens slaughtered

POKHARA, JAN 17 -

Some 3,500 chickens were slaughtered in four different poultry farms in Pokhara, Kaski, on Wednesday as bird flu (H5N1) virus was detected there. The Regional Directorate of Livestock Services in Pokhara confirmed an outbreak of the avian flu in the poultry farms at Batulechaur, Simpani, Birauta and Sedibagar in Pokhara.

Regional Director Banshi Sharma said the chickens were slaughtered as a test carried out in the Capital-based Central Veterinary Laboratory detected bird flu in those poultry farms. He said some samples of dead chickens were sent to the Capital two weeks ago. Four teams of experts led by six doctors culled the chickens and their feed. The teams culled 828 chickens at Kauseghari, 1,100 in Sarangkot, 110 in Batulechaur and 1,500 in Simpani. The teams asked the poultry farmers not to keep chickens in the farms for two months.

“We held a meeting yesterday (Tuesday) under the chairmanship of the Chief District Officer. After the necessary preparation, the culling has begun from Wednesday,” said Sharma. He said the bird flu has high risk in Pokhara as it is the country’s tourist hub and has many lakes.

The poultry farmers complained that authorities concerned acted irresponsibly and informed them about the flu very late. “The chickens died in numbers from December 31. But, the authorities at that time said there was no any serious disease. They came here yesterday for inspection and started culling from today. Had they informed us on time, we would not have spent thousands of rupees on feed,” said Bhishma Thakuri, a poultry farmer.


http://www.kantipuronline.com/2013/0...ed/365717.html
Posted on: 2013-01-17 08:39