The H5N1 influenza virus, commonly known as bird flu, has been detected in a poultry farm at Khanar in Itahari, Sunsari.

Chief of District Animal Service Office Shivanath Mahato said the authorities started slaughtering 3,000 fowls at the farm after the Biratnagar-based Regional Laboratory confirmed bird flu virus in samples collected from dead chickens.

Three days ago, bird flu virus was detected in birds at a children park in Taltalaiya as well.