The Central Zoo in Jawalakhel has been closed indefinitely after bird flu was confirmed in several birds and animals at the facility, zoo officials said on Friday.

Ganesh Koirala, the zoo’s spokesperson, said several birds and animals have died from avian influenza.

Satyanarayan Shah, the zoo’s chief, said bird flu was confirmed after samples tested by the Department of Livestock Services returned positive. “We decided to close the zoo after receiving the laboratory report on Thursday evening, confirming the outbreak. We have now put strict biosecurity measures in place,” he said.

Koirala said the virus was detected in egrets, owls and vultures housed at the zoo. It has also been confirmed in civets and leopard cats. He said around eight to 10 birds and animals have died in the outbreak.

Zoo officials suspect the infection spread to captive wildlife from wild crows. Dead crows infected with bird flu had previously been found in Kirtipur and Taudaha.

The zoo administration announced that the facility will remain closed from Friday until further notice. In a public notice, the zoo said:

“As bird flu has been detected among wildlife at the National Trust for Nature Conservation’s Central Zoo, the zoo has been closed from June 19 until further notice as a precaution to protect the health of our visitors. We apologise for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.”

The H5N1 bird flu outbreak, which first emerged in Morang in March, has recently spread to the Kathmandu Valley. According to the Department of Livestock Services, the virus, first detected in Sundarharaicha-4 and Urlabari-8 in Morang on March 18, has now been confirmed at 55 farms across 10 districts.