The Nepali government has banned import of birds and bird-products from all countries, following outbreaks of avian flu in over a dozen counties in Southeast Asia and Europe, an official of Nepali Directorate of Animal Health ( DAH) said Friday.

"Since outbreaks are being reported in newer locations including Europe, we cannot take chances. Imports have been totally banned. A formal notice will come out in a few days," said Dhan Raj Ratala, program director of the DAH.

The ban will be lifted after conducting risk assessment of individual countries, Ratala said.

Since 2003, Nepal has banned import of birds and bird-products from all countries except India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and European nations, to avoid the flu. Now even import from these countries has been banned.

Ratala, however, added that there is no need to be panic, as the flu hasn't struck Nepal yet.

World Health Organization has confirmed avian flu endemic in China, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, while recent outbreaks have been confirmed in Greece, Malaysia, Russia, Mongolia and Romania.

Source: Xinhua