Bird Flu Outbreak in Nepal: Over 5,96,000 Poultry Culled, Only Zoo Shut
Nepal has culled more than 5,96,000 poultry and shut its only zoo after bird flu spread to 11 districts, including parts of the Kathmandu Valley. Since the first 2026 cases were detected on March 18, authorities have also destroyed over one million eggs. Officials suspect infected crows may be contributing to the spread, making containment more difficult.
Nepal has culled more than 5,96,000 poultry and closed its only zoo as authorities intensify efforts to contain a growing bird flu outbreak that has spread across 11 districts, agriculture ministry officials said on June 30. The outbreak, first detected this year in March, has also led to the destruction of more than one million eggs.
The Himalayan nation has experienced outbreaks of avian influenza in previous years, but the first confirmed cases of 2026 were reported on March 18. Since then, government livestock officials have been overseeing large-scale containment measures to limit the spread of the disease. H5N1 Bird Flu Outbreak Confirmed in Chennai After Mass Crow Deaths; What Avian Influenza Is, How Dangerous It Can Be and Measures to Curb Its Spread.
Bird Flu Outbreak Reported in 11 Districts
According to Umesh Dahal, Director-General of the Department of Livestock Services, bird flu cases have now been confirmed in 11 districts, including three within the Kathmandu Valley, where the outbreak has been most severe.
Authorities have carried out widespread culling of chickens and other domestic birds in affected areas while also destroying over one million eggs as part of disease control efforts. Bird Flu in Andhra Pradesh: State Govt Issues Health Advisory and Sets Up Containment Zones After Nearly 90 Birds Die Within 2 Days.
Authorities Suspect Crows in Spread of Virus
Officials believe wild crows may be contributing to the spread of the virus, making containment more challenging. "We are concerned, because crows have been found dead from infections," Dahal said.
He added: "Controlling their movement is extremely difficult, since they live in the wild." The suspected role of wild birds has raised concerns among authorities, as monitoring and restricting their movement is significantly more difficult than managing outbreaks among domestic poultry.
Nepal's History With Bird Flu
Nepal first reported an outbreak of bird flu in January 2009 and has experienced sporadic cases since then.
The latest outbreak has prompted one of the country's largest disease-control operations in recent years, including the closure of its only zoo and extensive culling of poultry to prevent further transmission. Officials continue to monitor the situation as surveillance and containment measures remain in place across affected districts.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 30, 2026 05:11 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
