After Avian Influenza or bird flu was identified in Siligudi of West Bengal in India, Nepali government has warned locals in the eastern districts adjoining Nepal-India border not to visit the affected areas unless it is necessary, The Kathmandu Post reported on Sunday.

The Department of Livestock Services, Directorate of Animal Health, Kathmandu on Saturday has appealed to the concerned government authorities to prevent the locals living in the border areas of Jhapa, Morang and Sunsari districts from visiting bird flu affected areas in neighboring India.

A team of government officials representing the Department of Poultry Services have been mobilized to alert locals about the bird flu.

Meanwhile, the government has also appealed to the local authorities to prevent the locals from importing poultry and poultry products from India and stop issuing supply certificates to all poultry related products coming in from unidentified sources.

Likewise, it has also directed local authorities to ban poultry farming in areas up to 3 km in distance from the border. Locals have also been asked to inform the Poultry Service Office or the Quarantine Office whenever a large number of poultry are seen being slaughtered.

(Xinhua News Agency January 12, 2009)