Zoo begins measures against avian influenza

The Nehru Zoological Park is on its toes, after 1,200 birds were found dead in seven states, which confirm the presence of avian influenza in the country.

In its latest set of orders, the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) gave directives to the management of all zoos to strengthen surveillance and aviary management. “We are reporting all the incidents that are taking place in the zoo. We are sending our report every day. After the outbreak of avian influenza in Kanpur Zoo, we have become more careful,” N. Kshitija, curator, Nehru Zoological Park told Deccan Chronicle.

THE CENTRAL Zoo Authority gave directives to the management of all zoos to strengthen surveillance and aviary management.

WHILE THE aviaries are out of bounds to visitors, the water bodies and the flora around it have been festooned with reflective ribbons.

To control spread of the disease, officials have closed the four aviaries within the zoo to visitors.

“Only the maintenance staff is permitted to enter the aviaries,” an official said. While the aviaries are out of bounds to visitors, the water bodies and the flora around it have been festooned with reflective ribbons.

As it turns out avian influenza is a scheduled disease under the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009, and reporting such a disease is obligatory and helpful in taking appropriate preventive measures against its spread.

In the documents that are to be given to CZA, officials will have to give the name of the zoo, district, total number of bird species housed there, the total number of birds, free-ranging birds (species and any other data observations as available), number of suspected cases, number of samples sent for confirmation and name of the laboratory to which samples were sent.