‘Taking steps to prevent bird flu’

Delhi Development Minister Gopal Rai on Wednesday said that the government is taking all necessary measures to check the threat of bird flu in the city even though there is “no immediate danger”. “There have been some deaths of migratory birds reported due to H5 virus in Delhi Zoo. But there is no alarming situation. Government is taking immediate pre-emptive actions,” Rai said. 

His remarks came after he visited the Delhi Zoo on Wednesday afternoon to review the situation after nine migratory birds were found dead here over the last one week due to H5 virus, which causes avian influenza, or bird flu. “A team each has been sent to Okhla Bird Sanctuary, Nizamuddin (where sale and purchase of poultry happens), Yamuna Biodiversity Park, Najafgarh drain and Ghazipur poultry market,” Rai said. A helpline number (011-23890318) has been started to report cases of bird flu and seek help.