Kavre, May 16

Authorities in Kavre have launched an awareness campaign against bird flu after it came to light that the disease had caused the death of a youth here about a month ago.

Earlier, a 21-year-old had died from normal symptoms of common cold and fever in the district on March 29. Following a laboratory test, it was revealed on April 30 that the death was caused by bird flu.

The ministry concerned had made public the confirmation of the bird flu-related death on May 2. The identity of the youth, however, has been kept confidential.

The campaign started from Panchkhal Municipality in coordination with the district-based veterinary hospital and livestock experts’ centre.

On Day 1 of the drive on Tuesday, a collective meal with chicken was organised with the support of the municipality.

According to the centre’s Chief Dr Mogal Prasad Shah, the campaign will be taken to all local bodies in the district. “The campaign was put together keeping in view the locals of the district and poultry farmers who were worried ever since the disease killed a 21-year-old here,” said Shah. “We’’ll tell people there’s no risk of being infected if well-cooked chicken is consumed. We will also tell them how to process and cook chicken to make sure that the meat is safe,” Shah added.

Meanwhile, the centre’s bio-security awareness campaign was launched one month ago for poultry farmers here after a few cases of the disease were reported in Kathmandu and its adjoining districts Bhaktapur and Makawanpur.

The technicians’ team involved in the campaign has been visiting poultry farms to spray disinfectants and provide necessary suggestions to farmers here on how to stay safe from the disease. According to the centre, so far they haven’t found any farm with an outbreak.

The centre, following the direction of Bird Flu Control Technicians’ Committee of the district, has set up check points at three entry points of Kavre — namely in Sanga, Nala and Mangaltar — to make sure that only healthy chicks, eggs and chicken-related items enter the district.

Around 350 farmers are into poultry farming in Kavre.