Bird Flu Outbreak: 10 Red Jungle Fowls Found Dead At Kanpur Zoo
Highlights:
Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Kerala earlier reported cases of bird flu.
U.P. on high alert over fast-spreading bird flu.
Widespread avian flu in the country has led to a huge crash in poultry sales.
Amid the spread of avian flu in the country, the zoological garden of Kanpur is alarmed by the death of 10 red jungle fowls. As per the reports, 3 birds fell dead on Thursday, following which an immediate sanitization drive was carried out within the zoo premises to eliminate the possibility of any infections.
The death of these birds has not only shocked the administration but has forced zoo authorities to take certain actions.
Alert and Quick Response
In compliance with the alert which has been issued by the Centre given the epidemic infection spread in several states, an alert and prompt response was issued by the Kanpur zoo authorities.
The entry into the zoo has been utterly closed for visitors as well as for the employees. Besides this, a massive and thorough sanitization drive was carried out within the premises. Also, the zoo hospital was sprayed with germicide with vets wearing the PPE kits while conducting the necropsy on Thursday. The health of all in-house birds is under constant observation. In order to check if the birds have died due to the infection of the H5N8 virus, two out of these carcasses have been sent to the National Institute of High-Security Animal Disease in Bhopal. The trigger of the demise of birds is likely to be identified by January 8.
For round-the-clock surveillance at the zoo, authorities have employed CCTV cameras at the aviary. In addition to this, the authorities have even collected swab samples of different Aves species and sent them to Bhopal to check the prevalence of infection, which is a rising threat to the health of both, animals and humans.
Precautionary Measures Taken by The Kanpur Zoo Authorities
After the reports of deal jungle fowls, the Chief Veterinary Officer and Additional Director of Animal Husbandry rushed to the Kanpur Zoo to inspect the on-ground situation and issue streamlined precautionary measures for the same. The authorities have discussed all the possible avenues which could be the reason for the death of jungle fowls and have also advised the zoo officials to take proper biosecurity precautions and safety measures.
The zoo has decided to conduct a special training program for its staff members, which will help curb the spreading of infection within the aviary. As per the reports, the wildlife expert and former zoo vet have stated that all birds are being given preventive medication and immunity boosters as a defense against the infection incubation.
Crash of Poultry Sales in Uttar Pradesh
Although the government and department of animal husbandry have clearly stated that the consumption of poultry is safe as all the necessary precautions are being taken, the state has witnessed a crash in the sales of eggs and chicken.
Just in a week’s time, the cost of chicken has depreciated by 22% to 30%. On the other hand, this reduction in prices has led to people’s doubt about the quality and health of the chicken. Similarly, the sale of eggs has also sunk by 16% to 25%.
The capital of U.P., Lucknow has been compartmentalized into 9 blocks by the animal husbandry department to ease the surveillance work. The nodal officer of the department informed that consumption of poultry is absolutely safe and that people only need to ensure that the meat is properly cooked and the eggs properly boiled.
Wildlife professional and former zoo vet, Dr. RK Singh stated, “The birds right here (zoo) are being given preventive treatment, together with immuno-modulators. All measures are being taken”.
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