Not declaring bird flu in Delhi just yet: Gopal Rai

With the national capital going through a renewed bird flu scare, the Delhi Government on Friday assured that there is nothing to panic about and that it will not be declaring an avian flu outbreak just yet.

Speaking to ANI here, Delhi's Development Minister Gopal Rai said that regular monitoring is being done and their team is dedicated to taking samples consistently and sending it to be tested in Jalandhar.

"Some research experts are also coming here and a special squad is closely monitoring the entire situation. An expert team from Jalandhar and Bhopal laboratories will meet today over the matter. There is absolutely no need to panic as we are on top of the situation," Rai said.

Also, Rai has written to the Animal Husbandry ministers of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan over bird flu panic after H5 virus found in migratory birds.

"It is observed that there is continuous movement of migratory birds from areas of Haryana, UP and Rajasthan which are adjacent to Delhi. I would request you to kindly sensitize the concern authorities about these incident and issue required instructions for keeping surveillance and monitoring," the letter stated.

Meanwhile, the National Zoological Park in Delhi, which has been closed temporarily, has reported fresh cases of deaths of pelican birds.

The zoo was shut down on Wednesday after nine birds, including painted storks, ducks and pelicans died of avian influenza at its premises between October 14 and October 17.

A team of Central Zoo Authority is currently inspecting all the enclosures at the zoo.

Also, the Delhi government has shut down the Deer Park in Hauz Khas after it suspected that two birds found dead inside the park could be infected with bird flu.

Around 100 more samples have been collected in the last two days from Ghazipur, Okhla Bird Sanctuary, Najafgarh drain, Yamuna Biodiversity Park and the Central Park in Hauz Khas and sent to a specialised Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in Jalandhar.