Whiff of virus in death of four green pigeons in Bokaro

BOKARO: Four yellow-footed green pigeons in Gomia block of Bokaro died of suspected Ranikhet disease. The birds were found dead near an under-construction building under Jageshwar Vihar police station in Gomia on Sunday. The incident has raised concerns of the residents and the local administrative officials.
Following the incident, block animal husbandry officer Dr Suresh Prasad and forester Arun Bauri visited the spot to assess the situation. The veterinary doctor of the district health department, Mukesh Kumar, said that the swab, blood and cloacal samples of the dead birds have been sent to a lab in Ranchi for testing.
A local doctor claimed that the birds could have died of Ranikhet disease. The disease is caused by a paramyxovirus of the genus Rubulavirus and affects the respiratory and nervous systems of birds. Sources said that Ranikhet disease is also known as Newcastle disease and is a highly contagious and fatal disease primarily found among poultry birds.
Gomia BDO Kapil Kumar said, “The birds found dead are yellow-legged green pigeons, which are a common species found in the Indian subcontinent. It is the state bird of Maharashtra. The species feeds on fruit. They forage in flocks. They were found dead under a peepal tree.”