The Department of Livestock Services has formed a surveillance and study task force to control and prevent the spread of coronavirus through animals in Nepal.

Bansi Sharma, director general of the Department of Livestock Services, said that the task force comprising officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Department will test the livestock that are imported to Nepal in order to identify and prevent the virus’s spread through animals.

After the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the disease is transmitted through animals, the task force is being formed to strictly monitor animals as well as animal products that enter Nepal, according to Sharma.

The task force will work in coordination with the Animal Quarantine Office to destroy any animals or animal products imported without a health check certificate.

Similarly, the team will also work in coordination with the Civil Aviation Authority to check passengers that are carrying animals and animal products in their flights.