Nepal: H5N1 Outbreak In Poultry

 

 

 

# 6634

 

The pattern with the H5N1 virus has been that it declines during the warm summer months, only to return when cooler weather returns with the fall and winter. 

 

This pattern is easily seen in the FAO chart below:

 

 

Although not the hotspot for bird flu like Indonesia, Egypt, or Bangladesh, the H5H1 virus has been making its presence known in Nepal each winter since it was first detected in January of 2009 (see Nepal: Concerns Rise Over More Poultry Deaths).

 

Located as it is between two nations with a long history of outbreaks of H5N1 (India and China), and separated by but a few kilometers from Bangladesh – another bird flu hotspot – it isn’t surprising that the bird flu virus has made its way to Nepal.

 

 

Ironically, Nepal filed a final bird flu report with the OIE just one week ago, six months after the end of their last outbreak.  But with the return of cooler weather, H5N1 has once again emerged.

 

Today, we’ve a report in The Himalayan (h/t Giuseppe Michieli on FluTrackers), indicating a fresh outbreak of the virus, killing 1,200 chickens on a poultry farm in Bhaktapur, outside of the capital Kathmandu.

 

Bird flu confirmed in Bode farm

2012-10-15

ISHWOR K KHAIJU

BHAKTAPUR: At least 1,200 chickens have died of bird flu at a poultry farm in Bode-3 of Madhyapur Thimi in Bhaktapur till Monday noon.

(Continue . . .)

 

 

Nepal’s Animal Health Directorate has declared the area a crisis zone, and for the next 90 days will conduct enhanced surveillance.

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Nepal: Bird Flu Reported In Two Provinces

 

Map Credit - Wikipedia

 

# 6121

 

Located as it is between two nations with a long history of outbreaks of H5N1 (India and China), and separated by but a few kilometers from Bangladesh – another bird flu hotspot – it isn’t surprising that Nepal finds itself dealing bird flu outbreaks on occasion.

 

Nepal first confirmed the H5N1 virus in their nation in January of 2009 (see Nepal: Concerns Rise Over More Poultry Deaths).

 

In early December of last year the OIE was notified of a small outbreak of H5N1 near Kathmandu (see Bird Flu Reports From Nepal). Prior to that outbreak, the last OIE report I can find was filed in February of 2010; Final report 12669.

 

The media has complained in the past that officials have been slow in dealing bird flu, such as in this report which appeared in the Kathmandu Post last November describing a `cursory probe’ and `lax response’ by public health officials during the most recent outbreak.

 

One complication for local officials is they must send off samples to labs outside of the country in order to confirm the presence of H5N1, which has led to delays in implementing control methods.

 

Today, after several days of reports of suspicious poultry deaths in Nepal, we get media confirmation that the H5N1 virus has been detected among poultry in two provinces; Sumari and Ilam.

 

Two reports from Nepalnews.com:

 

Lab tests confirm outbreak of bird flu in Sunsari

Sunday, 05 February 2012 13:27 Read this : 105 times

The government authorities Sunday confirmed outbreak of bird flu in Sunsari district where around 5,000 chickens had  died earlier this week.

 

(Continue . . .)

Bird flu found in Ilam also

Sunday, 05 February 2012 18:28 Read this : 40 times

On the same day bird flu outbreak was confirmed in Sunsari district, local authorities in Ilam Sunday said the the similar case was detected in Ilam district also.

 

(Continue . . . )

 

 

Nepal is finding - as have nations like Vietnam, India, Egypt, Indonesia, and Bangladesh before it - that once the H5N1 virus establishes itself in an area, it can be very difficult to eradicate it completely.

 

For now, the H5N1 virus remains poorly adapted to human physiology, and while rare human infections have been reported, the virus  has not figured out how to transmit efficiently among humans.

 

Recent laboratory experiments have shown, however, that there is no biological barrier to the virus someday achieving that ability.

 

And so we watch outbreaks such as these with considerable interest.

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Bird Flu Reports From Nepal

 

 

 

# 5987

 

 

Over the past 72 hours we’ve seen several reports of avian influenza spreading among poultry in Nepal.

 

On FluTrackers, a thread started by Gert van der Hoek on Monday contains confirmed reports of bird flu at a poultry farm in Nepal’s Bhaktapur district.

 

Suspicious poultry deaths were reported occurring as early as November 9th, but testing only recently confirmed the H5N1 virus.

 

Yesterday the Kathmandu Post carried an article that describes a `lax’ response by public health officials to residents in the area complaining of `flu like symptoms’.

 

Bird flu outbreak

• Govt response: Cursory probe, lax quarantine

Manish Gautam

KATHMANDU, NOV 30 -

A day after officials confirmed bird flu in Bhaktapur and quarantined the area, many locals in and around Madhyapur Thimi Municipality on Wednesday complained of symptoms similar to that of bird flu.

Sita Rai, a resident near the site of the outbreak, said she has sore throat, fever, cough and muscle ache.

 

However, two health officials at the site, who stayed for less than 20 minutes in the area, said she is fine and that there is nothing to worry about.

 

(Continue . . . )

 

 

It is not uncommon – particularly during the onset of winter weather – for people in this region to be experiencing ILI (influenza-like-illnesses). So while reports of any ILIs around bird flu outbreaks are always of concern, these illnesses are far more likely to be caused by something other than H5N1.

 

So far, H5N1 has primarily been a threat to poultry, and we’ve seen very few clusters of human infection.

 

The concern, of course, is that could change.

 

 

Today, an AFP report appearing in the Straits Times indicates that – for the first time – bird flu has been detected in poultry in Nepal’s capital city, Kathmandu.

 

Poultry cull follows Kathmandu bird flu outbreak

Published on Dec 1, 2011

 

 

Nepal first reported the bird flu virus in January of 2009 (see Nepal: Concerns Rise Over More Poultry Deaths). After a couple of months the outbreaks were declared over, but the virus returned again over the winter of 2010 (see Nepal: H5N1 In Poultry & Nepal: Problems Containing Bird Flu).

 

The last OIE report I can find was filed in February of 2010; Final report 12669.

 

Located as it is between two nations with a history of outbreaks of H5N1 (India and China), and separated by but a few kilometers from Bangladesh – another bird flu hotspot – it isn’t surprising that Nepal finds itself faced with fresh outbreaks of the virus each winter.

 

Complicating matters, officials must send off samples to labs outside of the country in order to confirm the presence of H5N1, which has led to delays in implementing control methods.

 

In 2009 and 2010 outbreaks in Nepal were not reported until well into January, so today’s reports are coming unusually early in their winter season.

 

For now, this appears to be just affecting poultry, but as always, the newshounds on the flu forums will keep a close eye on the situation.

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Bird Flu Spreading In Nepal

 

# 4441

 

 

One of the difficulties with controlling the H5N1 virus is that it can sometimes take days for some countries to confirm that the virus is the cause of poultry deaths.  During that time, if containment efforts are not taken, the virus can spread.

 

This appears to be the case in Nepal, where outbreaks of bird flu have been reported again this winter. Testing for the virus is not done locally, and samples must be sent to the UK to confirm the presence of the virus.

 

Several days ago (see Nepal: Problems Containing Bird Flu) the Himalayan Times had an article on the spread of bird flu in Parasi, and allegations of cover ups by the government and a slow chaotic response to the threat.

 

Six weeks ago, bird flu was detected in Pokera (see Nepal: H5N1 In Poultry).

 

The mention of `open disposal’ of chickens below apparently refers to throwing their carcasses into lakes and rivers.  A tactic that is feared will spread the virus further.

 

 

Bird flu strikes Nawalparasi as emergency declared

Last Updated : 2010-03-17 12:58 PM

 

NAWALPARSI: The District Livestock Service Office (DLO), Nawalparasi revealed that bird flu has been detected in different Village Development Committees (VDC) of Nawalparasi on Wednesday. Nawalparsi has been declared as emergency zone after bird flu was acknowledged.

The DLO sent samples for laboratory testing to Britain for suspicion of bird flu after ducks and fowl started dying in Deurali, Deubadi and Tamsariya VDCs, since the last few days.

It is reported that a large number of poultry at Jhyalbas, Guheri, Beluwa, Dihi and Rumsi have died. Similarly, poultry in the neighbouring Deubadi Tamasariya VDC have also started dying.

 

Fear has gripped the residents in the bird flu areas over fears that the poultry disease might spread rapidly due the open disposal of the dead ducks and fowl.

 

Balkrishna Panthi, Chief District Officer of Nawalparasi district said that a technical team has already been mobilised to the affected areas for preventive measures.

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Nepal: Problems Containing Bird Flu

 

 

# 4429

 

 

 

Nestled as it is between two nations with a history of outbreaks of bird flu (India and China), and separated by but a few kilometers from Banglashesh – another H5N1 hotspot – it isn’t surprising that Nepal finds itself in a battle against the H5N1 virus as well.

 

Officially,  bird flu arrived in Nepal a little over a year ago (see Nepal Faces Challenges Combating Their First Bird Flu Outbreak), although there had been several `scares’ before that.  After a flurry of stories in January and February of 2009, reports of bird flu in Nepal dried up in March, and we heard little again until about six weeks ago (see Nepal: H5N1 In Poultry).

 

Today the Himalayan Times has an article on the spread of bird flu in Parasi, and allegations of cover ups by the government and a slow chaotic response to the threat.  Charges that are not dissimilar to some that were levied during the 2009 outbreak.

 

As noted last month, these new outbreaks are being reported in central Nepal, not the Eastern regions as they were last year.

 

Location of Parasi, Nepal

 

This lengthy report from the Himalayan Times.

 

 

Bird flu spreading fast in Parasi

Last Updated : 2010-03-13 11:58 PM

• Tika R Pradhan

KATHMANDU: The government has been keeping the public in the dark despite the outbreak of bird flu in different parts of the country on the rise, it was learnt today.

 

Around 500 backyard birds have died in Jhyalbas and Deurali VDCs of Nawalparasi district in the past few weeks.

 

Following the outbreak, a team of veterinarians led by senior officer at the Animal Health Directorate (AHD), Dr Narayan Prasad Ghimire, was sent to the VDCs for a stamping out operation following verbal orders from Dr Ram Krishna Khatiwada, the programme director, AHD,yesterday.

 

The team comprised Dr Dayaram Chapagain of Department of Livestock Service (DLS), Chitwan, Dr Laxman Bahadur Dhakal, Chief of DLS Nawalparasi, Dr Damodar Neupane and a technician from the National Avian Laboratory, Chitwan.

 

However, the team had to return from the VDCs without any job done as they failed to receive a written order from the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) to carry out the same. It is learnt that Dr Khatiwada had assured the team members of the written order from the centre. However, in the last hour, Dr Khatiwada directed the members to return.

 

Dr Khatiwada said that the report of the sample was not ready. “It might come by Sunday evening,” he said.

 

When asked about the team sent to the site, he said that was for the diagnosis and to make preparation for culling if the result was found to be positive. “We need to prepare for several things including financial matters before culling the birds in order to maintain international norms,” he said.

 

One of the team members said the condition in those areas was ‘horrible’ as more birds are being infected and dying fast.
Sources said the birds of local resident Bal Bahadur Bakwal (Magar) of Jhyalbas tested positive for H5N1 virus in the central veterinary laboratory, Tripureswor.

 

However, the authorities are reluctant to reveal the truth. As per the Bird Flu Control Order- 2064 BS, the government needs to declare “Crisis Zone” after a sample tests positive for H5N1 Avian virus either in the Central Veterinary Laboratory, Tripureswor or in any of the World Organisation for Animal Health reference laboratory. Nepal used to send the samples to the reference laboratory in Waybridge, London, for confirmation.

 

The government had earlier failed to declare the outbreak in Budhabare-Jhapa, Chainpur-8 in Chitwan, Buddhanagar in Rupandehi and Fultekra in Nepalgunj on time.

 

It may be noted that the authorities had revealed the outbreak only after The Himalayan Times reported that the government had been keeping the public in the dark.

 

Nepal Veterinary Association (NVA), Chitwan chapter, has condemned such act of the government and the DLS.

 

In a statement, the Chitwan chapter of NVA said that the department is being run in an “unethical manner” and at the cost of public health.

 

The government is once again trying to hide the outbreak of Bird flu in Nawalparasi district.

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Nepal: H5N1 In Poultry

 

 

# 4320

 

 

 

Just a year after the H5N1 virus was first detected in Nepal (see Nepal Faces Challenges Combating Their First Bird Flu Outbreak), once again that nation is dealing with an outbreak of bird flu in poultry.

 

Thus far, there have been no confirmed human infections in Nepal.

 

Unlike last year’s outbreaks, which were mainly concentrated in the east of the country, Pokara is in the central region of Nepal.

 

This report from the Himalayan Times.

 

London tests confirm avian flu in Pokhara

Last Updated : 2010-02-04 12:12 AM

 

Bharat Koirala/Rajesh Barma

POKHARA/ kATHMANDU: Detection of bird flu in Pokhara has spread panic in the Lake City. Ministry for Agriculture and Cooperatives, in a press meet held in Kathmandu today, stated that ducks and chickens were dying in Pokhara due to bird flu and a high alert has been sounded in Pokhara and the surrounding areas.

 

Dr Prakashraj Shrestha, head of District Veterinary Office, Kaski, said the samples of the dead ducks and chickens collected from the poultry farm of Gyan Bahadur Khadka in Ghoripatan were tested preliminarily in Pokhara on January 26.

 

They had to be sent to London as there were no facilities for such tests in Kathmandu. Spokesperson for the ministry, Dr Hari Dahal, stated that the preliminary report of the tests showed that the ducks and chickens had died due to bird flu (H5N1 virus). Dr Dahal said the Rapid Response Team had begun its task to curb the spread of the disease in the affected area. Claiming that the flu would be controlled within seven days, Dr Dahal added that there are nearly 10,000 birds in Ghoripatan, Pokhara.

 

District Veterinary Office, Kaski, has urged the locals of Ghopripatan area not to consume the meat of dead birds and to bury them properly. The office has also been spraying medicine in the affected areas.

 

Kaski CDO and chairman of Bird Flu Control Committee Shambhu Koirala said the meeting held today was attended by all the stakeholders and he had directed them to adopt proper methods to curb the disease. He added that the police had already stopped the movement of birds in and out of Pokhara and security personnel had been deployed on major highways and roads connecting Pokhara with other parts of the nation.

 

Many migratory birds come to Pokhara, increasing the threat of bird flu. District Veterinary Office has assured the poultry entrepreneurs that the disease can be prevented if proper measures are adopted.

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