The Centre on Friday said a new bird flu virus subtype H5N8 has been confirmed in samples from Gandhi Zoological Park, Gwalior, days after Delhi Government shut the National Zoological Park in the wake of avian influenza.
Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries has asked Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change to issue advisories to all wildlife/bird sanctuaries in the country.
National Institute for High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) has said that the samples were received from Gandhi Zoological Park, Gwalior which have tested positive for H5N8 AIV, Ministry of Agriculture said in a statement. “Instructions have been issued to state Animal Husbandry Director. The Ministry Of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has also been requested to issue advisories to all wildlife/bird sanctuaries in the country,” it added.
Till now, no human infections with H5N8 has been established anywhere in the world. However, necessary precautions are to be undertaken while handling sick/dead birds and contaminated material during control and containment operations, it said.