Bird flu: Panel reviews actions taken

Reviewing the bird flu situation in the city, a committee set up by the Union environment ministry on Thursday said that while a rosy pelican was found dead in Delhi’s National Zoological Park in the last 24 hours, no bird deaths were reported from Deer Park in Delhi and Gwalior zoo.

The committee said the Union agriculture secretary also reviewed the actions taken for the control of H5N8 avian influenza. “The monitoring committee constituted by the environment ministry for overseeing outbreak of avian influenza reviewed the situation regarding the control and containment of the avian influenza on Thursday, said an official statement, adding, “Mortality status within 24 hours — National Zoological Park in New Delhi — one rosy pelican, a free-ranging bird, Deer Park in Hauz Khas in New Delhi — nil and Gwalior Zoo — nil.”

Bird flu scare continues to grip the national capital as three more bird deaths, including one at zoo and two at Shakti Sthal, were reported on Wednesday, taking the toll to 69.

The health ministry has said samples tested from the wild birds which died at National Zoological Park and Deer Park both in Delhi, Zoological Park in Gwalior and Kerela in recent times have been found “positive for Avian Influenza AH5N8”.

The three-member committee said there has been continued surveillance and the zoos are being screened regularly for any dead bird, bio-security measures are being strictly enforced and the National Zoological Park, Delhi, Gandhi Zoological Park, Gwalior, and Deer Park, Delhi, remained closed for the safety of visitors and control of the disease.

It added the pelicans kept with the painted storks in the Gwalior zoo have been kept under quarantine and all of them are in good health.

The committee comprises member secretary of Central Zoo Authority, director national zoological park and deputy inspector general of forest (wildlife).