With 10 more birds succumbing to bird flu in Deer Park on Sunday, the death toll has crossed 40 in the naitonal Capital. Concerned over the development, the Central Government formed a three-member committee for monitoring the causes behind frequent death of birds.
Gopal Rai, Delhi Development Minister visited Deer Park on Sunday and said a coordination committee on this matter has been called on Monday at 2 pm. "Water sample of Hauz Khas lake near Deer Park has been sent to Bhopal laboratory for H1N8 virus tests," said Rai.
On Saturday 17 ducks were reportedly found dead at Hauz Khas Deer Park. Authorities had to collect carcasses of seven birds to carry out the test, after the control room received calls in this regard.
The Minister held a meeting with senior DDA officials, wildlife experts and veterinary doctors and decided to run an antivirus drive in the area. "Quantity of garlic and vitamin will be enhanced in bird's diet to boost their immunity levels," the Minister.
The Union Environment Ministry said a constant vigil is being kept around the National Zoological Parks to monitor and contain the spread of H5 avian influenza along with the State agencies and a three-member panel set up.
"There is no mortality reported in the National Zoological Park in Delhi. Seventeen ducks were found dead in the Central Park, Hauz Khas," a Delhi Government report said. The city Government widened its scan ambit by collecting samples from the Ghazipur chicken market, which has not yet been hit.
While one dead bird collected from the Hauz Khas park was sent to lab, eight samples were taken from the Ghazipur poultry market from live birds.
"The DDA officials have been advised to bury the carcasses deep as per the guidelines and take necessary disinfection process in Central Park Hauz Khas as mortality still continues. Disinfection process as per the guidelines of action plan has been undertaken in zoo and Ghazipur mandi," the report added.
Meanwhile, Gwalior District Collector Sanjay Goyal said analysis of samples collected from two of approximately 15 painted storks, that died in the zoological park in the district, revealed the birds were infected with a new bird flu virus subtype, H5N8.
It may be noted that the Delhi Government had ruled out any threat to human beings, saying the H5N8 strain found in three samples was "less infective".
Meanwhile, as a confidence-building measure, Delhi zoo opened its gates to the media and took reporters around the bird enclosures.
"The chances of the resident birds contracting the influenza are meek. So we are assuming that the migratory birds may have carried the pathogenic strains. However, we can be clear only when we get a word from Jalandhar and Bhopal, where we have sent the samples," zoo curator Riyaz Khan said.
On being asked about the Centre-appointed committee to monitor the situation, Khan said the panel is at present looking at the guidelines and measures to be adopted in case of such deaths. He said no fresh deaths were reported at the zoo for the past two days. Twelve water birds, including 6 pelicans, painted storks and ducks have died at the zoo in the past week.