Onset of bird flu deaths leads to precautionary measures in Delhi

Summary: The bird flu deaths at the National Zoological Park in Delhi have prompted the Health Ministry to consider taking samples from poultry markets to rule out any possibility.

The deaths

In the last week, it has been found that 12 birds in Delhi’s National Zoological Park died from bird flu. Six painted storks and two black-necked ibises died in the water bird aviary, and four migratory painted storks died in ponds.

On Monday, one more painted stork was found dead near the pond. Another stork in the water bird aviary was found sick and shifted to an isolation ward.

The precautions

In light of the above, it has been advised by Pankaj Kumar Singh, Health Minister of Delhi, that random samples from poultry markets, including the Murga Mandi in Ghazipur, will be collected as a precautionary measure to rule out any possibilities.

He said that “there is no cause for concern at the moment”, and the Health Department has alerted hospitals and surveillance teams in case of any eventuality. As a matter of extra precaution, the citizens may avoid eating chicken for a couple of days.

The statement by the Zoo

Sanjeet Kumar, Director of the National Zoological Park, stated that following the deaths of the birds, all measures of surveillance and bio-security have been beefed up in the zoo premises.

The samples taken from the two painted storks and two ibises displayed positive results for H5N1, a strain of the influenza virus. The swabs from the body of the painted stork and the sick bird have been sent for observation.

Surveillance measures

There is regular surveillance being carried out throughout the zoo premises twice a day. There is intensive and regular cleaning, disinfection of enclosures, water ponds, and foraging grounds of migratory birds. Protective gear has been provided to all the staff members of the zoo premises, and they have been prepared for the situation.

The zoo remains closed to visitors until further notice.

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