Bird flu has been detected at a private poultry farm in Jhapa. The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) subtype H5N1 was confirmed in layer chickens at the Agricultural Farm Pvt. Ltd in Damak Municipality-10, the District Administration Office said.

Following this detection, the local administration has declared the area within 20 metres in all four directions a crisis-prone zone.

All the infected chickens have been culled. The export and import of birds, eggs, feeds and other bird-related products has been banned until further notice, the administration said in a statement.

It has urged locals to remain alert and urged stakeholders to cooperate in controlling the disease.

According to the office, the sample tested positive, and the process has been initiated to send it to the central laboratory for further verification.