Nepal Bans Chicken Sales in Capital over Bird Flu

A Nepalese official says the government has banned the sale and transport of chicken and all poultry products in the capital city to prevent the spread of the H5N1 bird flu virus.

Agriculture Ministry spokesman Prabhakar Pathak said Thursday that the virus has been detected in several poultry farms in Katmandu and surrounding areas.

No human casualties have been reported.

Stories selling poultry have been shut down and authorities have urged the public not to panic.