While government authorities on Sunday confirmed the H5N1 strain of bird flu in Khanar and Itahari in Sunsari district, similar outbreaks were reported in Phakphok in Ilam district and Faktep in Panchthar, where more than 400 chickens have died.
However, fowls in the affected areas are yet to be slaughtered, increasing the risk of the infection spreading to other localities.
The Directorate of National Animal Health (DNAH) had suspected bird flu after around 7,000 chickens died in Pathibhara Poultry Firm at Khanar-4 and PK Poultry Suppliers at Itahari-6. As of Sunday evening, more than 8,000 fowls have died in the two poultry farms.
"We have not been able to slaughter the fowls as we have not been able to check the health of personnel who are to slaughter the fowls, while there is a lack of tami flu (the drug to treat the flu) and sending safety gears to the team has been delayed," Dr Bol Raj Acharya, the Eastern Regional Veterinary Health Director, said.
Dr Shreeram Prasad Shah, the chief of the District Public Health Office, Sunsari, said the date of tami flu stored in the area has already expired. The medicines sent by the centre, however, arrived late on Sunday evening.
The district veterinary office has directed authorities concerned to increase surveillance in all poultry farms in the area.
In Ilam and Panchthar, authorities have declared an area of 3 km around the two sites as infected zone.
A team led by doctors has been deployed at the site in Ilam. The team will kill fowls in the nearby areas and take up other preventive measures. Around 200 households live in the outbreak area.
"We have deployed security personnel to stop the import and export of chickens and poultry products," said DSP Bishnu KC said.
In Kathmandu, Secreatry of the Ministry of Health and Population Dr Praveen Mishra said, "People need not panic. We are prepared to handle the situation."
General symptoms of the flu are fever above 100.4 F, cough, sore throat, muscle ache and difficulty in breathing.
Bird Flu, also known as Avian influenza, is an infection caused by the avian (bird) influenza (flu) A viruses. The influenza A viruses occur naturally among birds.
Most cases of avian influenza infection in humans have resulted from contact with infected poultry or surfaces contaminated with secretion/excretions from infected birds. The faeces of the Aves are considered the most dangerous medium of transfer.
