Nepal - Bird flu outbreak in poultry 2023-2026

[Pathfinder]

Nepal - High pathogenicity avian influenza viruses (poultry) (Inf. with) - Immediate notification

GENERAL INFORMATION
COUNTRY/TERRITORY OR ZONE
COUNTRY/TERRITORY

ANIMAL TYPE
TERRESTRIAL

DISEASE CATEGORY
OIE-listed

EVENT ID
4884

DISEASE
High pathogenicity avian influenza viruses (poultry) (Inf. with)

CAUSAL AGENT
Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus

GENOTYPE / SEROTYPE / SUBTYPE
H5N1

START DATE
2023/01/27

REASON FOR NOTIFICATION
Recurrence of an eradicated disease

DATE OF LAST OCCURRENCE
2022/11/01

CONFIRMATION DATE
2023/01/31

EVENT STATUS
On-going

END DATE
-

SELF-DECLARATION
NO

REPORT INFORMATION
REPORT NUMBER
Immediate notification

REPORT ID
IN_159155

REPORT REFERENCE
-

REPORT DATE
2023/02/05

REPORT STATUS
Validated

NO EVOLUTION REPORT
-

EPIDEMIOLOGY

SOURCE OF EVENT OR ORIGIN OF INFECTION
Fomites (humans, vehicles, feed, etc.)
Contact with wild species

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL COMMENTS
Commercial layers 25 weeks and 40 weeks old have been affected. Wild birds like crows and eagles have been seen near farm premises.
...
NEW OUTBREAKS

OB_113412 - NAGARJUN MUNICIPALITY-6, RAMKOT, JAYANTIGAUN

OUTBREAK REFERENCE
-

START DATE
2023/01/27

END DATE
-

DETAILED CHARACTERISATION
-

FIRST ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION
Bagmati Pradesh

SECOND ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION
KATHMANDU

THIRD ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION
Nagarjun

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL UNIT
Farm

LOCATION
Nagarjun Municipality-6, Ramkot, Jayantigaun

Latitude, Longitude
27.722425 , 85.25697

OUTBREAKS IN CLUSTER
-

MEASURING UNIT
Animal

AFFECTED POPULATION DESCRIPTION
-

SpeciesSusceptibleCasesDeathsKilled and Disposed ofSlaughtered/ Killed for commercial useVaccinated
Birds (DOMESTIC) NEW 7500 2909 2909 4591 0 0
TOTAL 7500 2909 2909 4591 0 0
...

https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/4884

[Shiloh]

Source: https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.c...?categoryId=81

Bird flu cases confirmed in three places in Kathmandu Valley
Published On: February 6, 2023 08:18 PM NPT By: Republica |

KATHMANDU, Feb 6: Bird flu infection has been confirmed in three places in the Kathmandu Valley, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD).

Officials at the MoALD said that bird flu cases have so far been confirmed in Lalitpur and Kathmandu.

“Bird flu infection has been confirmed in chickens reared in Khumaltar of Lalitpur district and Tarakeswar Municipality and Ramkot area of Nagarjun Municipality in Kathmandu district,” said MoALD Spokesperson Prakash Kumar Sanjel.

The first infection of A (H5N1), also known as bird flu or avian influenza virus, was confirmed in a Turkey farm of Lalitpur-based Nepal Agriculture Research Council (NARC) in Khumaltar, last Friday. However, authorities have yet to take measures to contain the spread of the infection. The MoALD said that a small number of birds there have been culled as a part of the containment measure.

Bird flu infection has also been confirmed in a farm in Ramkot, Nagarjun Municipality-6. According to the ministry, 4,500 chickens and 2,255 eggs in the farm have been destroyed...

[Shiloh]

Source: https://kathmandupost.com/health/202...1-confirmation

Over 11,600 birds culled following A(H5N1) confirmation
An avian flu outbreak at a Lalitpur-based government farm around two weeks ago has been confirmed to have spread to at least six local units in the Valley.
post report
Published at : February 17, 2023
Updated at : February 17, 2023 07:50

Kathmandu

As many as 11,672 domestic birds—layers, New Hampshire and local chickens, ducks, turkeys and quail—have been culled following confirmation of A(H5N1) virus, also known as bird flu or avian influenza virus.

The deadly virus, first found around two weeks ago at the Lalitpur-based Nepal Agriculture Research Council's turkey farm, has spread to at least six local units in Kathmandu Valley.

“Along with domestic birds of the disease-hit farms, we have also destroyed 11,085 eggs, 1,000 kg feed, 1,000 eggs, 1,000 egg crates and disinfected the farms,” said Dr Chandra Dhakal, information officer at the Department of Livestock Services. “We have also stepped up surveillance to lessen risks of spreading the virus in other areas.”

According to the department, outbreaks of the virus have been reported in Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Tarakeshwar Municipality, Nagarjun Municipality, Kirtipur Municipality and Changunarayan Municipality....

[Pathfinder]

Nepal - High pathogenicity avian influenza viruses (poultry) (Inf. with) - Follow up report 2

GENERAL INFORMATION
COUNTRY/TERRITORY OR ZONE
COUNTRY/TERRITORY

ANIMAL TYPE
TERRESTRIAL

DISEASE CATEGORY
OIE-listed

EVENT ID
4884

DISEASE
High pathogenicity avian influenza viruses (poultry) (Inf. with)

CAUSAL AGENT
Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus

GENOTYPE / SEROTYPE / SUBTYPE
H5N1

START DATE
2023/01/24

REASON FOR NOTIFICATION
Recurrence of an eradicated disease

DATE OF LAST OCCURRENCE
2022/11/01

CONFIRMATION DATE
2023/01/31

EVENT STATUS
On-going

END DATE
-

SELF-DECLARATION
NO

REPORT INFORMATION
REPORT NUMBER
Follow-up report 2

REPORT ID
FUR_159392

REPORT REFERENCE
-

REPORT DATE
2023/02/20

REPORT STATUS
Validated

NO EVOLUTION REPORT
-

EPIDEMIOLOGY

SOURCE OF EVENT OR ORIGIN OF INFECTION
Fomites (humans, vehicles, feed, etc.)
Contact with wild species

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL COMMENTS
Commercial layers 25 weeks and 40 weeks old have been affected. Wild birds like crows and eagles have been seen near farm premises.

QUANTITATIVE DATA SUMMARY
MEASURING UNIT
Animal

SpeciesSusceptibleCasesDeathsKilled and Disposed ofSlaughtered/ Killed for commercial useVaccinated
Birds (DOMESTIC) NEW 17934 5880 5880 12054 0 0
TOTAL 28920 10148 10148 18772 0 0

DIAGNOSTIC DETAILS
CLINICAL SIGNS
YES

...

NEW OUTBREAKS

OB_114232 - KAKANI RURAL MUNICIPALITY-1, NUWAKOT...
OB_114231 - CHANGUNARAYAN MUNICIPALITY-7, BHAKTAPUR...
OB_114230 - KIRTIPUR MUNICIPALITY-4, PRAGATINAGAR...

PREVIOUSLY REPORTED OUTBREAKS

OB_113476 - TARKESHWOR MUNICIPALITY-7, FUTUNG...
OB_113474 - TARKESHWOR MUNICIPALITY-1...
OB_113475 - NEPAL ANIMAL SCIENCE RESEARCH INSTITUTE,LALITPUR METROPOILTAN-15, KHUMALTAR...
OB_113412 - NAGARJUN MUNICIPALITY-6, RAMKOT, JAYANTIGAUN...

https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/4884

[Pathfinder]

Nepal - High pathogenicity avian influenza viruses (poultry) (Inf. with) - Follow up report 4

GENERAL INFORMATION
COUNTRY/TERRITORY OR ZONE
COUNTRY/TERRITORY

ANIMAL TYPE
TERRESTRIAL

DISEASE CATEGORY
OIE-listed

EVENT ID
4884

DISEASE
High pathogenicity avian influenza viruses (poultry) (Inf. with)

CAUSAL AGENT
Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus

GENOTYPE / SEROTYPE / SUBTYPE
H5N1

START DATE
2023/01/24

REASON FOR NOTIFICATION
Recurrence of an eradicated disease

DATE OF LAST OCCURRENCE
2022/11/01

CONFIRMATION DATE
2023/01/31

EVENT STATUS
On-going

END DATE
-

SELF-DECLARATION
NO

REPORT INFORMATION
REPORT NUMBER
Follow-up report 4

REPORT ID
FUR_159851

REPORT REFERENCE
-

REPORT DATE
2023/03/15

REPORT STATUS
Validated

NO EVOLUTION REPORT
-

EPIDEMIOLOGY

SOURCE OF EVENT OR ORIGIN OF INFECTION
Contact with wild species
Fomites (humans, vehicles, feed, etc.)

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL COMMENTS
Commercial layers 25 weeks and 40 weeks old have been affected. Wild birds like crows and eagles have been seen near farm premises.

QUANTITATIVE DATA SUMMARY
MEASURING UNIT
Animal

SpeciesSusceptibleCasesDeathsKilled and Disposed ofSlaughtered/ Killed for commercial useVaccinated
Birds (DOMESTIC) NEW 22736 4974 4974 17762 0 0
TOTAL 52356 15307 15307 37049 0 0
...

NEW OUTBREAKS

OB_115760 - CHUNIKHEL, LALITPUR METROPOLITAN CITY-22...
OB_115759 - CHANGUNARAYAN-8, RATOPATI, BHAKTAPUR...
OB_115757 - BUDANILKANTHA-4, KATHMANDU...

PREVIOUSLY REPORTED OUTBREAKS

OB_114854 - GOKARNESHWOR MUNICIPALITY--2 SUNSTAR...
OB_114232 - KAKANI RURAL MUNICIPALITY-1, NUWAKOT
OB_114231 - CHANGUNARAYAN MUNICIPALITY-7, BHAKTAPUR
OB_114230 - KIRTIPUR MUNICIPALITY-4, PRAGATINAGAR
OB_113476 - TARKESHWOR MUNICIPALITY-7, FUTUNG
OB_113474 - TARKESHWOR MUNICIPALITY-1
OB_113475 - NEPAL ANIMAL SCIENCE RESEARCH INSTITUTE,LALITPUR METROPOILTAN-15, KHUMALTAR
OB_113412 - NAGARJUN MUNICIPALITY-6, RAMKOT, JAYANTIGAUN

...

https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/4884

[Pathfinder]

Nepal - High pathogenicity avian influenza viruses (poultry) (Inf. with) - Follow up report 5

GENERAL INFORMATION
COUNTRY/TERRITORY OR ZONE
COUNTRY/TERRITORY

ANIMAL TYPE
TERRESTRIAL

DISEASE CATEGORY
OIE-listed

EVENT ID
4884

DISEASE
High pathogenicity avian influenza viruses (poultry) (Inf. with)

CAUSAL AGENT
Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus

GENOTYPE / SEROTYPE / SUBTYPE
H5N1

START DATE
2023/01/24

REASON FOR NOTIFICATION
Recurrence of an eradicated disease

DATE OF LAST OCCURRENCE
2022/11/01

CONFIRMATION DATE
2023/01/31

EVENT STATUS
On-going

END DATE
-

SELF-DECLARATION
NO

REPORT INFORMATION
REPORT NUMBER
Follow-up report 5

REPORT ID
FUR_160014

REPORT REFERENCE
-

REPORT DATE
2023/03/22

REPORT STATUS
Validated

NO EVOLUTION REPORT
-

EPIDEMIOLOGY

SOURCE OF EVENT OR ORIGIN OF INFECTION
Contact with wild species
Fomites (humans, vehicles, feed, etc.)

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL COMMENTS
...

NEW OUTBREAKS

OB_116110 - CHANGUNARAYAN-9, TATHALI, BHAKTAPUR
OUTBREAK REFERENCE
-

START DATE
2023/03/03

END DATE
-

DETAILED CHARACTERISATION
-

FIRST ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION
Bagmati Pradesh

SECOND ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION
BHAKTAPUR

THIRD ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION
Changunarayan

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL UNIT
Farm

LOCATION
Changunarayan-9, Tathali, Bhaktapur

Latitude, Longitude
27.668223 , 85.47244

OUTBREAKS IN CLUSTER
-

MEASURING UNIT
Animal

AFFECTED POPULATION DESCRIPTION
Commercial layers of 42 weeks old

SpeciesSusceptibleCasesDeathsKilled and Disposed ofSlaughtered/ Killed for commercial useVaccinated
Birds (DOMESTIC) NEW 8000 5210 5210 2790 0 0
TOTAL 8000 5210 5210 2790 0 0
...
PREVIOUSLY REPORTED OUTBREAKS

OB_115760 - CHUNIKHEL, LALITPUR METROPOLITAN CITY-22
OB_115759 - CHANGUNARAYAN-8, RATOPATI, BHAKTAPUR
OB_115757 - BUDANILKANTHA-4, KATHMANDU
OB_114854 - GOKARNESHWOR MUNICIPALITY--2 SUNSTAR
OB_114232 - KAKANI RURAL MUNICIPALITY-1, NUWAKOT
OB_114231 - CHANGUNARAYAN MUNICIPALITY-7, BHAKTAPUR
OB_114230 - KIRTIPUR MUNICIPALITY-4, PRAGATINAGAR
OB_113476 - TARKESHWOR MUNICIPALITY-7, FUTUNG
OB_113474 - TARKESHWOR MUNICIPALITY-1
OB_113475 - NEPAL ANIMAL SCIENCE RESEARCH INSTITUTE,LALITPUR METROPOILTAN-15, KHUMALTAR
OB_113412 - NAGARJUN MUNICIPALITY-6, RAMKOT, JAYANTIGAUN

https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/4884

[Pathfinder]

Nepal - High pathogenicity avian influenza viruses (poultry) (Inf. with) - Follow up report 7

GENERAL INFORMATION
COUNTRY/TERRITORY OR ZONE
COUNTRY/TERRITORY

ANIMAL TYPE
TERRESTRIAL

DISEASE CATEGORY
Listed disease

EVENT ID
4884

DISEASE
High pathogenicity avian influenza viruses (poultry) (Inf. with)

CAUSAL AGENT
Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus

GENOTYPE / SEROTYPE / SUBTYPE
H5N1

START DATE
2023/01/24

REASON FOR NOTIFICATION
Recurrence of an eradicated disease

DATE OF LAST OCCURRENCE
2022/11/01

CONFIRMATION DATE
2023/01/31

EVENT STATUS
On-going

END DATE
-

SELF-DECLARATION
NO

REPORT INFORMATION
REPORT NUMBER
Follow-up report 7

REPORT ID
FUR_160953

REPORT REFERENCE
-

REPORT DATE
2023/05/17

REPORT STATUS
Validated

NO EVOLUTION REPORT
-

EPIDEMIOLOGY
SOURCE OF EVENT OR ORIGIN OF INFECTION
Contact with wild species
Fomites (humans, vehicles, feed, etc.)

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL COMMENTS

Backyard chicken and ducks of various age group


QUANTITATIVE DATA SUMMARY
MEASURING UNIT
Animal

SpeciesSusceptibleCasesDeathsKilled and Disposed ofSlaughtered/ Killed for commercial useVaccinated
Birds (DOMESTIC)
NEW 10245 6086 6086 4159 0 0
TOTAL 74907 27279 27279 47628 0 0
...

NEW OUTBREAKS

OB_118807 - CHANGUNARAYAN MUNICIPALITY-4, BHAKTAPUR
OUTBREAK REFERENCE
-

START DATE
2023/05/06

END DATE
-

DETAILED CHARACTERISATION
-

FIRST ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION
Bagmati Pradesh

SECOND ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION
BHAKTAPUR

THIRD ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION
Changunarayan

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL UNIT
Farm

LOCATION
Changunarayan municipality-4, Bhaktapur

Latitude, Longitude
27.716078 , 85.4217

OUTBREAKS IN CLUSTER
-

MEASURING UNIT
Animal

AFFECTED POPULATION DESCRIPTION
Commercial layers of various age groups

SpeciesSusceptibleCasesDeathsKilled and Disposed ofSlaughtered/ Killed for commercial useVaccinated
Birds (DOMESTIC)
Poultry
NEW 10245 6086 6086 4159 0 0
TOTAL 10245 6086 6086 4159 0 0

...

PREVIOUSLY REPORTED OUTBREAKS

OB_116749 - BANEPA-4, KAVREPALANCHOK...
OB_116110 - CHANGUNARAYAN-9, TATHALI, BHAKTAPUR
OB_115760 - CHUNIKHEL, LALITPUR METROPOLITAN CITY-22
OB_115759 - CHANGUNARAYAN-8, RATOPATI, BHAKTAPUR
OB_115757 - BUDANILKANTHA-4, KATHMANDU
OB_114854 - GOKARNESHWOR MUNICIPALITY--2 SUNSTAR
OB_114232 - KAKANI RURAL MUNICIPALITY-1, NUWAKOT
OB_114231 - CHANGUNARAYAN MUNICIPALITY-7, BHAKTAPUR
OB_114230 - KIRTIPUR MUNICIPALITY-4, PRAGATINAGAR
OB_113476 - TARKESHWOR MUNICIPALITY-7, FUTUNG
OB_113474 - TARKESHWOR MUNICIPALITY-1
OB_113475 - NEPAL ANIMAL SCIENCE RESEARCH INSTITUTE,LALITPUR METROPOILTAN-15, KHUMALTAR
OB_113412 - NAGARJUN MUNICIPALITY-6, RAMKOT, JAYANTIGAUN
...

https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/4884

[Pathfinder]

Nepal - High pathogenicity avian influenza viruses (poultry) (Inf. with) - Follow up report 8

GENERAL INFORMATION
COUNTRY/TERRITORY OR ZONE
COUNTRY/TERRITORY

ANIMAL TYPE
TERRESTRIAL

DISEASE CATEGORY
Listed disease

EVENT ID
4884

DISEASE
High pathogenicity avian influenza viruses (poultry) (Inf. with)

CAUSAL AGENT
Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus

GENOTYPE / SEROTYPE / SUBTYPE
H5N1

START DATE
2023/01/24

REASON FOR NOTIFICATION
Recurrence of an eradicated disease

DATE OF LAST OCCURRENCE
2022/11/01

CONFIRMATION DATE
2023/01/31

EVENT STATUS
On-going

END DATE
-

SELF-DECLARATION
NO

REPORT INFORMATION
REPORT NUMBER
Follow-up report 8

REPORT ID
FUR_161131

REPORT REFERENCE
-

REPORT DATE
2023/05/29

REPORT STATUS
Validated

NO EVOLUTION REPORT
-

EPIDEMIOLOGY
SOURCE OF EVENT OR ORIGIN OF INFECTION
Contact with wild species
Fomites (humans, vehicles, feed, etc.)

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL COMMENTS
Backyard chicken and ducks of various age group
...
NEW OUTBREAKS

OB_119277 - SURYABINAYAK-8, BHAKTAPUR
OUTBREAK REFERENCE
-

START DATE
2023/05/22

END DATE
-

DETAILED CHARACTERISATION
-

FIRST ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION
Bagmati Pradesh

SECOND ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION
BHAKTAPUR

THIRD ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION
Suryabinayak

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL UNIT
Farm

LOCATION
Suryabinayak-8, Bhaktapur

Latitude, Longitude
27.657881 , 85.440284

OUTBREAKS IN CLUSTER
-

MEASURING UNIT
Animal

AFFECTED POPULATION DESCRIPTION
Backyard chickens, 6 weeks old.

SpeciesSusceptibleCasesDeathsKilled and Disposed ofSlaughtered/ Killed for commercial useVaccinated
Birds (DOMESTIC)
Poultry
NEW 4000 3400 3400 600 0 0
TOTAL 4000 3400 3400 600 0 0
...

https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/4884

[Pathfinder]

Nepal - High pathogenicity avian influenza viruses (poultry) (Inf. with) - Follow up report 9

GENERAL INFORMATION
COUNTRY/TERRITORY OR ZONE
COUNTRY/TERRITORY

ANIMAL TYPE
TERRESTRIAL

DISEASE CATEGORY
Listed disease

EVENT ID
4884

DISEASE
High pathogenicity avian influenza viruses (poultry) (Inf. with)

CAUSAL AGENT
Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus

GENOTYPE / SEROTYPE / SUBTYPE
H5N1

START DATE
2023/01/24

REASON FOR NOTIFICATION
Recurrence of an eradicated disease

DATE OF LAST OCCURRENCE
2022/11/01

CONFIRMATION DATE
2023/01/31

EVENT STATUS
On-going

END DATE
-

SELF-DECLARATION
NO

REPORT INFORMATION
REPORT NUMBER
Follow-up report 9

REPORT ID
FUR_161320

REPORT REFERENCE
-

REPORT DATE
2023/06/12

REPORT STATUS
Validated

NO EVOLUTION REPORT
-

EPIDEMIOLOGY
SOURCE OF EVENT OR ORIGIN OF INFECTION
Contact with wild species
Fomites (humans, vehicles, feed, etc.)
EPIDEMIOLOGICAL COMMENTS
Backyard chicken and ducks of various age group

QUANTITATIVE DATA SUMMARY
MEASURING UNIT
Animal

SpeciesSusceptibleCasesDeathsKilled and Disposed ofSlaughtered/ Killed for commercial useVaccinated
Birds (DOMESTIC)
NEW 8547 7763 7763 784 0 0
TOTAL 87454 38442 38442 49012 0 0
...

NEW OUTBREAKS

OB_120029 - CHANDRAGIRI MUNICIPALITY-5, KATHMANDU...
OB_120028 - BHAKTAPUR MUNICIPALITY-6, BHAKTAPUR
OB_120027 - CHANGUNARAYAN-5, BHAKTAPUR
...

https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/4884

[Lance]

https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6278

[Lance]

wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7386

[Commonground]

[emphasis is mine]

HPAI (H5N1) resurges in Nepal: poultry outbreaks and wild bird cases signal escalating risk in Koshi and Bagmati provinces
TUE 24 MAR 2026

Key findings

• Between 10 and 15 Mar 2026, four outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 were detected in commercial layer farms in Koshi Province (three in Morang and one in Sunsari districts), affecting 10 316 birds and leading to the culling and disposal of 37 660, for a total of 47 976 susceptible birds.
• Diagnosis was confirmed by the Central Veterinary Laboratory (CVL) in Kathmandu using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
• A concurrent wild bird event was reported on 10 Mar 2026 near Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Bagmati Pradesh province, where 30 house crows (Corvus splendens) tested positive for HPAI (H5N1) on 21 Mar 2026.
• Affected flocks (4–75 weeks old) showed severe clinical signs with rapid mortality across sheds.
• On 22 Mar 2026, an additional outbreak was confirmed in Damak-10, Jhapa district, prompting movement bans, reinforced biosecurity, and planned culling of approximately 13 000 chickens.
• Authorities have implemented stamping-out measures, destruction of contaminated materials, strict movement restrictions, and mandatory disinfection, while urging public vigilance due to zoonotic risk.

Epidemiological analysis and public health impact

• The simultaneous detection of HPAI (H5N1) in both commercial poultry and wild bird populations indicates active environmental circulation of the virus, with wild birds serving as probable vectors introducing infection to farms through direct contact or fomite contamination.
• The observation of wild birds in farm vicinity and tall trees near affected premises suggests inadequate biosecurity measures failed to prevent wildlife-farm interfaces, a critical vulnerability in intensive poultry production systems.
• The rapid progression from initial mortality (approximately 100 birds on 15 Mar 2026) to farm-wide infection across multiple age groups within days demonstrates the virus's high transmissibility in dense poultry populations. This pattern, combined with the geographic spread across three districts within Koshi Province, indicates either multiple independent introductions from wild bird reservoirs or secondary spread through contaminated fomites, personnel, or equipment between farms.
• The detection in Kathmandu's (Bagmati Pradesh province) urban environment represents a significant geographic expansion from the rural outbreak epicenter in Koshi Province. Urban detection increases human exposure risk, particularly among market workers, poultry handlers, and residents in proximity to infected crow populations.
• Nepal's limited diagnostic capacity, with samples requiring confirmation at the central laboratory in Kathmandu, creates delays in outbreak detection and response. The Animal Disease Investigation Laboratory in Biratnagar has been receiving five to seven farmers daily with dead chickens for testing, suggesting substantial underreporting of mortality events and potential undetected circulation in farms lacking access to veterinary services.

Comparative analysis and future outlook

• Detected for the first time in Nepal in 2009, the current HPAI (H5N1) outbreak represents a re-emergence following the last reported occurrence on 30 Jun 2025 in Sunsari district, Koshi Province, after the country had declared the outbreak resolved. Although the 10 316 cases reported across four farms are substantially lower than the 2013 peak (201 outbreaks) and the 2022 outbreak affecting 15 districts with over 600 000 birds culled, the rapid geographic spread and concurrent involvement of wild birds in the current event indicate a potential for escalation if containment measures are not effectively implemented.
• The outbreak's timing in March 2026 aligns with Nepal's established seasonal pattern, where HPAI (H5N1) outbreaks are five times more likely during winter months. As Nepal transitions into spring, declining transmission pressure may naturally limit spread.
• The detection of clade 2.3.2.1a H5N1 viruses, capable of infecting mammals—including Nepal’s first fatal human case in 2019—underscores the need for enhanced surveillance among high-risk groups such as farm workers and culling teams. Previously identified in human infections in Bangladesh and Nepal (2015–2019), this clade is closely related to strains found in humans and cats in India during 2024–2025. It is associated with high virulence in poultry (often >50% mortality) and retains significant zoonotic potential, with an estimated ~60% case fatality rate in confirmed human infections.
• Warning signals indicating worsening situation include detection in additional provinces beyond Koshi and Bagmati; human infections among poultry workers or culling teams; sustained wild bird die-offs suggesting ongoing environmental contamination; and detection in backyard poultry flocks, which would indicate community-level circulation beyond commercial farms.
• The country's porous borders with India and China and limited surveillance resources create conditions for undetected spread. Future trajectory depends critically on biosecurity enforcement and surveillance expansion beyond the current affected districts.

https://beaconbio.org/en/report/?rep...a-66a61cfe4a7e

[Commonground]

March 25, 2026
Bird flu confirmed in Sunsari

DHARAN: A campaign has been launched to cull chickens and destroy eggs in the affected poultry farms and disinfect the cages, after bird flu was confirmed in various places in Sunsari.

Bird flu infection has been confirmed in eight poultry farms in the district, including six in Itahari Sub-metropolitan City of Sunsari and one each in Duhabi Municipality and Gadhi Rural Municipality, said Dr Manoj Kumar Mahato, Chief of the Veterinary Hospital and Animal Service Expert Center in Inaruwa, Sunsari.

According to him, 11,020 chickens and 11,300 eggs at OKO Agriculture Pvt. Ltd. located in Itahari-19 have been destroyed. Similarly, 421 chickens and 11,300 eggs have been destroyed at Sanjit Agriculture Farm in Gadhi Rural Municipality-5, 1,930 chickens (layers and Giriraj) at Rani Agriculture Farm in Itahari-18, and 510 chickens and 520 eggs at Laxmi Poultry Farm in Itahari-17.

Similarly, the virus has also been confirmed at Prabhu Agricultural Farm in Itahari-19, Sunsari Agricultural Farm in Duhabi and Sajha Hatchery in Itahari-18.

Dr Mahato informed that the import and export of poultry products have been prohibited to control the infection and the sale and distribution of chicken and eggs in the affected areas has been banned. It is estimated that the infection may have spread through vehicles transporting eggs and feed.

https://english.nepalnews.com/s/society/bird-flu-confirmed-in-sunsari/

[Lance]

wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7386

[Shiloh]

Source: https://english.ratopati.com/story/5...kens-destroyed

Bird Flu Outbreak: 85,000 Chickens Culled Across Three Districts in Koshi Province
ratopati
RSS April 03, 2026

Jhapa. Following the detection of bird flu, approximately 85,000 chickens have been culled across three districts in Koshi Province.

According to Dr. Gangaram Yadav, Senior Livestock Development Officer at the Directorate of Livestock and Fisheries Development in Biratnagar, the chickens were culled across 22 commercial farms in the three districts where the H5N1 bird flu infection was confirmed. Out of the 14 districts in the province, the infection has spread to Jhapa, Morang, and Sunsari.

Senior Livestock Development Officer Dr. Yadav stated that the infection was detected in eight farms in Morang, two in Jhapa, and 12 in Sunsari. The culled stock includes 70,000 layers, 7,000 broiler parents, 1,000 broilers, 4,000 chicks, and 2,325 local breed chickens. Additionally, 57 ducks, 227,000 eggs, and 28,000 kilograms of feed were destroyed, he added...