KANPUR: Two days after a lab report from the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal confirmed bird flu or ‘avian influenza’ in two red jungle fowls that died recently at Kanpur zoo, as many as 51 crows and nine pigeons were found dead in the city on Monday, causing scare and panic.
Local authorities, who have been taking all steps to contain the spread of bird flu, sent four carcasses — two each of crows and pigeons — to the Bhopal lab for ascertaining the cause of their death.
Also, blood and swab samples collected from 81 chickens were sent to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly for tests. These samples were randomly collected from different localities.
Chief veterinary officer, Dr RP Mishra, told TOI on Monday, “ Our teams came to know that some crows and pigeons were lying dead. They visited different spots and found out the reality. A total of 51 crows and nine pigeons were found dead and carcasses of two crows and two pigeons are being sent to the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal to ascertain the cause of the death in view of the spread of bird flu .”
He added that random sampling from 81 chicken was done and these samples were being sent to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly. “The samples include blood and swab samples collected from chicken on a random basis,” he added.
“The situation is under control and there is nothing to worry about. All necessary steps are being followed. Our teams are keeping an eye over the entire situation,” Dr Mishra emphasised.
He added that no bird was culled on Monday and the culling would be carried out only if there is a need.
Earlier, the zoo was on Saturday closed after confirmation of bird flu or the dreaded avian influenza in two red jungle fowls that were found dead in the zoo hospital premises recently.
Between January 2 and 7, four red jungle fowls had died while six had been culled at the zoo on suspicion of having the dreaded avian disease. The zoo administration had sent the swab samples of two of these birds to the National Institute of High Security Animal Disease in Bhopal for confirmation regarding avian influenza. The lab report that came late on Saturday evening, confirmed bird flu in the dead birds following which the zoo campus was sealed and made out of bounds for the visitors with immediate effect.