With the death of two peacocks in Aravallis, birders fear return of Newcastle disease

Gurugram: There is a sense of caution among the wildlife officials with the re-emergence of Newcastle virus that which gradually results in the death of birds in Aravallis. Two peacocks were found to be dead in Aravallis.

Sources indicate that though the role of virus cannot be ruled out completely, the real causes seems to be an extreme heatwave and the two peacocks died as they were not able to get water.

Last year, around the same time in just two weeks, there were over 50 peacocks that died not only due to the heatwave but also due to the virus.

What can provide to be a warning that this virus spreads through poultry and therefore even the city birds may not be safe from this virus?

While warning signs to greater measure have not been issued by the administration the process of surveillance in various farms have

started.

An infected bird may exhibit several signs, including respiratory signs (gasping, coughing), nervous signs (depression, inappetence, muscular tremors, drooping wings, twisting of head and neck, circling, complete paralysis), swelling of the tissues around the eyes and neck, greenish, watery diarrhoea.

The virus is spread from the poultry birds.

"As of now, there is no fear that the Newcastle virus is returning back. The two peacocks that have died is due to the heatwave. Having said that our team cannot be complacent as we know that if there is a presence of Newcastle virus how it can spread quickly and result in the death of a large number of birds," said a senior official from the wildlife department.

While wildlife officials assure that vital steps are being taken towards the protection of animals, they also conceded that a lot of administrative delays from the higher authorities are causing a delay in implementation.

The city wildlife officials were to collaborate with the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun towards implementing the mechanism of wildlife protection in Aravallis.