Grey partridge bird dead at Delhi zoo

A grey partridge bird has been found dead at the National Zoological Park in New Delhi, the committee constituted by the Environment Ministry to monitor the avial flu situation today said.
The three-member committee constituted to oversee the outbreak of H5N8 avian influenza in its review today said that apart from the grey patridge, there was no other casualty at Deer Park in Hauz Khas and Gwalior zoo.
"Mortality Status within 24 hours - National Zoological Park in New Delhi - one grey partridge an in-house bird, Deer Park in New Delhi - nil and Gwalior zoo - nil," an official statement said.

The memorial of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Shakti Sthal, had to be closed yesterday as two more ducks had succumbed to suspected avian influenza there, taking the toll in the national capital to 66.
Acting on reports of mortality among the birds, in the Delhi NCR region and other parts of the country due to H5 Avian Influenza Virus, Union Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave had constituted a monitoring committee.
The committee comprises member secretary of Central Zoo Authority, director National Zoological Park and deputy Inspector General of Forest (Wildlife).

A doctor today visited and examined exposed employees of the zoo and medication was provided to them while the samples from other birds of the Gandhi Zoological Park in Gwalior were sent to the National Institute for High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal whose report is still awaited.

A team of scientists from National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune have already visited the Delhi zoo and collected samples, sensitised and trained zoo staff about bio-security measures against avian influenza.
The Union Health Ministry yesterday issued a health advisory to states, asking them to minimise bird-human interface to prevent an outbreak of bird flu.
Birds in Delhi, Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh) and Kerala have tested positive avian influenza AH5N8, which according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), is considered less risky of being transmitted to humans. But the government is taking precautions.