Kathmandu, July 9 -- Avian influenza A (H5N1), also known as bird flu virus, has again been confirmed in dead crows found inside the Central Zoo, Jawalakhel, Lalitpur. This has made the reopening of the zoo further uncertain.

According to officials, the Central Veterinary Laboratory confirmed the presence of bird flu virus in samples taken from dead crows that were sent for testing two days earlier. The zoo announced the results on Thursday.

"The latest samples from dead crows have tested positive for the bird flu virus," said Ganesh Koirala, spokesperson for the Central Zoo. "We cannot reopen the zoo under such circumstances. We don't keep crows in the zoo, but they fly in and can pass the virus to birds kept inside for display."

The ...