Nepal confirms bird flu at five poultry farms in Morang district as authorities begin containment

NEPAL – Bird flu has been confirmed at five poultry farms in Morang district, Koshi Province, eastern Nepal, prompting a response from veterinary authorities concerned about its spread.

The outbreak has been identified in chickens at Dahal Agro Farm, Haleshi Mahadev Farm, Athiyabari Farm, A to Z Farm, and Kamakhya Poultry Farm, all located in different parts of the district.

Confirmation came from the Veterinary Laboratory in Biratnagar, which has been conducting diagnostic tests following reports of poultry deaths in the area.

Following the positive results, officials began culling infected birds and destroying eggs, feed, and other materials that could facilitate further transmission.

Dr Kamal Giri, who heads the laboratory, said the facility has been receiving daily visits from around 10 farmers bringing dead broiler and layer chickens for testing.

Data from the laboratory shows that 45 out of 198 samples collected since July have tested positive for the virus, representing about 22.7% of the total samples examined.

Samples that could not be conclusively diagnosed locally have been forwarded to Kathmandu for additional analysis as authorities seek to determine the full scope of the outbreak.

Rising vigilance as cases increase

The increase in confirmed cases has raised concerns among both farmers and officials about the potential economic and supply impact if the outbreak spreads further.

Local authorities are continuing surveillance and urging farmers to report unusual poultry deaths quickly to limit transmission within the region.

UK explores vaccination trials

At the same time, the United Kingdom has begun targeted trials of bird flu vaccines in turkeys as part of efforts to evaluate new ways of managing the disease.

The move reflects a shift in approach by authorities, who are testing whether vaccination could reduce the frequency of outbreaks that have affected poultry farms and disrupted supply chains.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza remains a global concern due to its rapid spread among birds, its impact on food production costs, and the risk that it could adapt in ways that affect human health.

Despite this, large-scale vaccination has faced resistance within the poultry industry because vaccinated birds may carry the virus without clear symptoms, which can make detection more difficult and complicate international trade.

According to the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the trial is expected to run for about 24 weeks.

It will assess how approved vaccines perform under typical farm conditions rather than controlled environments.

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