Bird Flu Still Scratching at Nepal’s Poultry Door

Bird flu has been brought under control in much of Nepal, but officials say it remains active in Kathmandu Valley and Kavrepalanchok. That is the kind of livestock news that may sound regional at first, but poultry disease has a way of reminding us that feathers do not respect map lines.

Avian influenza continues to be one of the most persistent threats to poultry producers worldwide. It can move through wild birds, live bird markets, farm equipment, workers, transport crates, and gaps in basic sanitation. Once it enters a flock, the economic damage can be swift and heartbreaking.

For smallholders and commercial operators alike, the lesson is biosecurity, biosecurity, biosecurity — yes, three times, like calling cows home. Restrict visitors, clean footwear, control movement of birds and equipment, isolate sick birds quickly, and report suspicious deaths. Backyard flocks are not magically protected because they are small; sometimes they are more exposed because controls are looser.

The Nepal case also highlights the importance of surveillance. Saying a disease is controlled in most regions is not the same as saying it is gone. Farmers need timely reporting, fair compensation policies where culling is required, and clear guidance that does not leave producers guessing while the virus does its rounds.

For poultry folks, this is a reminder to treat calm periods as preparation periods. The best time to tighten the gate is before the fox is in the henhouse — and with bird flu, the fox may arrive on wings.