Following death of peacocks, chicken and ducks due to avian influenza (H5N1) in Munger and Puri districts in Bihar and Odisha respectively, the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) has alerted all zoos in the country to protect the birds in captivity against the highly contagious viral disease which affects only members of the birds family.
The virus is transmitted mainly through migratory birds. But even these winged beauties are prone to virus threat.
Issuing alert in this regard, CZA member secretary Dr Anup Kumar Nayak said that the zoos have also been asked to follow “standards, guidelines and protocol on disease diagnosis and cure of wild animals in Indian Zoos,” published by the CZA in collaboration with the Indian Veterinary Institute. CZA is autonomous body of the Central Government responsible for oversight of zoos across the States.
The State authorities have also been advised to improve bio-security measures in the zoos to avoid spread of the viral disease among captive animals.
Patna’s Sanjay Gandhi Zoo director Amit Kumar said the zoo will remain closed for public till situation is under control. The zoo was closed after strains of avian influenza virus were found in six dead peacocks last December. The samples of the second lot of dead birds have been sent to a lab and reports are awaited, he added.
The move aims to minimize the possibility of catching the infection among birds. “The zoo is being thoroughly sanitised. The zoo will be opened for visitors only after we get the negative reports from the lab where samples of the birds are being sent time to time as per the CZA protocol,” said Kumar.
In few parts of Odisha too, bird flu has taken its toll on poultry birds. The State Government has declared areas in Kendrapara district bird flu hit and have vaccinated 35,000 poultry birds. As a precautionary measure, the Naveen Patnaik Government has asked schools and Anganwadi Centres not to provide eggs to children. Similarly, sale of eggs and chicken has been banned in Krushna Prasad block for next few days, said an official from the State Government.