Avian flu: Three more birds die

Three more birds died in Delhi due to bird flu on Wednesday, one of the deaths reported from the Delhi Zoo after a gap of six days, officials here said.

A grey partridge died at the zoo, while two ducks were found dead at the lake behind Shakti Sthal, the memorial to Indira Gandhi.

It was on October 20 that the last bird death was reported at the zoo due to H5N8 avian influenza virus.

Meanwhile, no deaths were reported from the Deer Park, which like the Delhi Zoo, will remain shut to public until normalcy returns.

Delhi Animal Husbandry Minister Gopal Rai wrote to all legislators, municipal councillors and Resident Welfare Associations in the city to help create awareness about the health advisory issued by the Delhi government. “If spraying of anti-virus is not being done in any water body in your area, please inform on the helpline (23890318),” he wrote.

On Monday, Rai issued a health advisory with a detailed list of dos and don’ts, including avoiding raw or half-cooked eggs, chicken and meat. 

On Tuesday, he urged the central government to direct departments under its administrative control to take precautionary measures against bird flu in the city.  

Meanwhile, the Sultanpur National Park authorities in Gurgaon are also keeping a close watch on the movement of migratory and other birds, an official said. They are being assisted in their efforts by experts from the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS). 

Located on Gurgaon-Farukhnagar Road, the park is home to around 250 species of birds, both resident and migratory. Birds come to the park from as far off as Europe, Siberia and Central Asia. According to forest officials, currently there are over 11,000 birds in the park.