3 fresh avian deaths, another DDA park shut down in Delhi

Lab reports confirms avian influenza has not affected the poultry of Ghazipur Mandi

Three fresh avian deaths were reported in the city on Friday prompting authorities to shut yet another DDA park in west Delhi, while on the positive side, lab reports confirmed the influenza has not affected the poultry of Ghazipur Mandi.

Two ducks were found dead at Pashchim Vihar Park of west Delhi and another at Shakti Sthal, which continues to remain closed, a Delhi government official said.

Although the report of the Bhopal-based laboratory, ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases, provided relief to the authorities as it declared the samples from poultry of Ghazipur Mandi negative.

Animal Husbandry Department Minister Gopal Rai reviewed the situation at a meeting of the Coordination Committee, comprising officials of all the departments concerned and agencies such as PWD, Health and the MCDs.

Rai directed agencies owning waterbodies to execute the relevant action plan to contain the flu, in the form of enhanced fumigation, timely reporting of mortality and disposing leftover meat in their areas of jurisdiction.

"Violating the directions will invite strict action. 22 teams have also been deployed across the city in this regard and a WhatsApp group has been formed to monitor the action being taken on a real-time basis," an official said.

The National Zoological Park did not report any fresh death, however, it will remain out of bounds for visitors for the next three months during which the area will be sanitised.

The DDA Park at Hauz Khas, that reported a spate of deaths as well, also remains shut.

A total of 13 water birds, including painted storks, ducks and pelicans died of H5N8 Avian influenza on its premises since October 14.