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Nepal, which sits just north and to the west of where the most recent outbreaks of bird flu have occurred in India, is understandably concerned over their own biosecurity.
The outbreaks in Darjeeling are within 13km of the Nepal border.
Authorities are closely monitoring their border with India, prohibiting the importation of poultry, or poultry products, and even warning their residents not to consume (or even touch) eggs.
Nepal issued similar alerts last winter when West Bengal battled several months of bird flu outbreaks.
To date, Nepal has not reported detecting bird flu in their country.
Bird flu triggers alert in Nepali border areas with India
www.chinaview.cn
2009-01-06 11:18:58
KATHMANDU, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Following the reported outbreak of Avian Influenza in bordering Indian state of West Bengal a few days ago, Nepali Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has directed local administrations in the areas bordering the Indian state to fully prohibit the import of birds, ducks and poultry products from India, The Himalayan Times daily reported on Tuesday.
The Ministry Monday called on all people concern to be on high alert to prevent a possible outbreak of the deadly disease in Nepal.
"We need to be extra alert as there is a high risk of transmission of the disease in the country," said spokesperson of the ministry Hari Dahal, adding, "we request all not to eat and even touch white eggs."
The outbreak of bird flu was reported a few days ago in Darjeeling and Malad in West Bengal. Darjeeling is merely 13 km away from Nepal.
The ministry has also directed local administration to take action against anyone violating the government's instruction.
A meeting of the avian flu experts and government officials also decided to deploy a central team to Jhapa district in eastern Nepal to take necessary measures to avoid the outbreak of the disease in Nepal.
It has also instructed people to report to Animal Service Department or the ministry if their birds and chickens died unusually.
Dahal also said that the government had made arrangements to deploy mobile teams to border areas for regular monitoring.
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