Kathmandu, July 16 -- With environmental samples of wild birds collected from the zoo premises testing negative for avian influenza, also known as the bird flu virus, the Central Zoo is all set to reopen to the general public from Friday.

A high-level meeting comprising senior officials from the Department of Livestock Services, the Central Veterinary Laboratory, and the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, among others, held on Thursday, took the decision to this effect.

"We have decided to reopen the zoo to visitors from Friday," said Ganesh Koirala, spokesperson for the Central Zoo. "Lab tests on environmental samples collected from the zoo premises came back negative."

The zoo has been shut down since June 19 following an out...