Nepal, April 29 -- Influenza A H5N1, commonly known as 'bird flu', is a respiratory virus that affects both human and bird populations. H5N1 bird flu was first reported in Hong Kong in 1999, where six of 18 infected patients died from complications, highlighting its virulence. It is considered a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus and is associated with approximately 50 percent case fatality.

In Nepal, the H5N1 virus was first detected in 2009 on poultry farms in the eastern region. A decade later, the country reported its first human fatality linked to the virus, which generated considerable public concern. Until recently, bird flu infections were considered the primary source of human infection. However, emerging evidence fr...