KATHMANDU, March 4 (Xinhua) -- The Central Regional Livestock Directorate has said the bird flu virus has not been found in the central region of Nepal till date, The Kathmandu Post reported on Wednesday.

    Organizing a press meeting here on Tuesday, the Directorate said the bird flu virus has not been detected in the Central Region and necessary alertness has been maintained to fend off the possible menace.

    The Directorate said the ban on import of the poultry and its products are in effect, adding that there has reported any illegal import.

    Moreover, it has kept the livestock employees and police on alert round the clock on the border areas from where the poultry is being entered into the central region.

    After the first outbreak of the disease in the country on Jan. 16, the government had declared emergency in affected area of Sarnamati village in Jhapa district in eastern Nepal.