Taken all steps to combat bird flu: AAP govt to HC

The Delhi government has taken all necessary steps to combat and prevent spread of avian flu as soon as it was informed about bird deaths at the National Zoological Park here, Delhi High Court was informed on Wednesday.

The submission was made by Delhi government’s standing counsel Rahul Mehra before a Bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal which was hearing a PIL seeking directions to the authorities to take measures to control avian flu.

Mehra said the virus found so far was one known as ‘H1N5 avian influenza’, which is considered as “not dangerous”.

Taking note of the submission made by Mehra and the action taken reports placed before the court by him, the bench disposed of the PIL which had also sought directions to the Centre and the Delhi government to provide the zoo with medical equipment, veterinarians, compounders and other staff for better treatment of the animals there. The Delhi government told the court it had set up 23 coordination committees and 22 rapid response teams to deal with the issue.

In its report detailing the action taken, it also said it has taken preventive measures around waterbodies and forests and spread hydrochloride medicine which is anti-virus.

Apart from these measures, the government claimed that sanitation drives have been initiated and detailed health advisories have also been circulated in the city.

The petition by Salek Chand Jain had also raised the issue of lack of proper medical facilities, equipment and staff for the 1380 animals in the zoo.

The petitioner had alleged that the authorities have failed to maintain a healthy, hygienic and natural environment in the zoo.