An outbreak of avian influenza H5N1 has been reported at Tsimasham under Chhukha district.
The outbreak was detected after the owner of a backyard poultry farm reported the death of three chickens and 15 others falling sick to the district veterinary hospital.
Instantly, samples were taken to the laboratory for rapid test and the cause of the death was confirmed as bird flu.
There are 48 poultry farms in the area but so far bird flu has been detected in only one farm.
The owner of the poultry farm suspects the bird on her farm may have caught the flu from pigeons.
Officials are not taking any chance.
Livestock officials have started culling chickens in the area from today.
By tomorrow, they expect to complete culling chickens in all the backyard poultry farms in Tsimakha, Tsimakothi, Tsimasham and new and old dzong area.
The Bhutan Agriculture and Food Regulatory Authority will also be carrying out vehicle disinfection at the entrance and exit of Tsimasham town area from tomorrow.
The outbreak of bird flu in the country was first reported in 2010 in Rinchending, Phuentsholing.
