Delhi: National Zoological Park temporarily shuts down after avian flu detected

The National Zoological Park has temporarily shut down after nine birds died and a few of them were detected with influenza and is taking steps to ensure that the infection does not spread to the rest of the birds and animals in the zoo.

"The issue was detected last Friday and Saturday in which a total of nine birds died including rosy pelicans, painted storks and ducks. We sent the samples to Jalandhar and Bhopal and few birds were detected with influenza and since then there have been no deaths," Riyaz Khan, PRO of the zoo told the media here.

However as a cautionary method, all visits have been prohibited from the zoo for a few days until the entire area is declared as safe by the concerned agencies, who will be arriving to take stock of the situation.

Asserting that all steps are taken for the infection to be contained, Khan added that the zoo is lush with vegetation and plants, making it difficult for the virus to spread.