Nepal Bans Meat Sale Over Pandemic Fears

Kathmandu: Slaughtering of animals or birds and selling their meat has been banned in Kathmandu over fears of a pandemic in the wake of last week's devastating earthquake and its aftershocks which have jolted the Himalayan nation.

In a public notice, the Kathmandu District Administration has appealed for not consuming meat-related items during this time.

The authorities believe that the selling of meat would add to sanitation and health related complications as several agencies fear the outbreak of a pandemic.

Kathmandu District Administration chief Ek Narayan Aryal said: "We have urged the locals of Kathmandu not to slaughter animals and birds keeping in view the possibility of spread of pandemic and health condition of the local people."

The directive came as the temblor, that has killed over 6,600 people so far and forced millions of people to live in the open, has also caused serious sanitation problems.