Kathmandu, March 24 -- 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...