KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Health and Food Hygiene has issued an urgent nationwide alert following the detection of bird flu (avian influenza) across 100 locations in 11 districts, including the Kathmandu Valley.

Ministry Joint Spokesperson Samir Mani Adhikari has urged the public to completely avoid direct contact with sick, dead, or infected poultry, to consume meat and eggs only after they are thoroughly cooked, and to report dead birds to nearby veterinary authorities.

While the Department of Livestock Services continues to monitor the situation, health officials emphasized that although the virus can transmit from infected birds to humans through direct contact, handling, or cleaning contaminated spaces, it does not easily spread from person to person.

The public is advised to monitor for symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, breathing difficulties, muscle aches, fatigue, and diarrhea, and to practice strict hygiene measures.