Government Lacks Adequate Laboratories for Testing Bird Flu

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Government Lacks Adequate Laboratories for Testing Bird Flu

February 12: Bird flu has re-emerged in Kathmandu. The disease was initially detected in Sanglekhola of Tarkeshwor Municipality – 7 in Kathmandu on January 29. After that, the Department of Livestock Services was closely monitoring the area and other suspicious places in the country.

According to a press release issued by the department, bird flu was confirmed in Tarkeshwor municipality – 1 again on February 9 while testing a duck reared by a local farmer. 

As soon as the disease was confirmed, the department mobilized its units to control the spread of the disease and destroy all the livestock and other contagious things in the affected areas. Meanwhile, 1,421 ducks, 42 chickens, 26 eggs and 800 kg grains have been destroyed and the area has been completely disinfected, the statement added.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Dr Shreeram Ghimire said that there is lack of laboratories for testing the contagious disease. According to him, out of eight laboratories under the ministry, five are currently being used by the Ministry of Health for coronavirus tests. Only the remaining three are being used for bird flu testing.

“This is insufficient for us. There could be problem for testing if additional laboratories are not arranged as soon as possible,” he said.

Out of the eight laboratories, only the Central Veterinary Laboratory at Tripureshwor is recognized by the World Organisation for Animal Health. Apart from this, other laboratories do not meet all the criteria although tests are being carried out in those labs.

Dr Ghimire said that the Ministry of Health and the Department of Health Services have been asked to provide laboratories to them. Furthermore, he said that if the disease spreads, the number of laboratories conducting regular tests may not be enough and more laboratories may be required. The ministry has informed that efforts are being made from all quarters to control the spread of the disease. The ministry has also appealed to all stakeholders for cooperation and collaboration in controlling the disease.

 

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