One more bird dies of avian influenza, toll over 80

Containment measures of avian influenza in the affected zoos are being continuted through surveillance and screening for any dead bird

A captive bird was found dead in the National Zoological park here in the last 24 hours, the committee to monitor the birdflu situation said on wednesday.

The three member committee constituted by the Environment Ministry which held its review to oversee the outbreak of H5N8 avian influenza said that the sample of the 'Muniya' bird has also been sent to the National Institute for High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal.

With this, over 80 bird have died due to the avian influenza in the national capital.

"The monitoring committee constituted by the Environment Ministry to oversee the outbreak of H5N8 avian influenza, reviewed the control and containment of the avian influenza situation on Wednesday.

"Mortality Status within 24 hours - National Zoological Park, New Delhi - One Muniya (Captive Bird), Deer Park in New Delhi - Nil and Gwalior zoo - Nil," an official statement said.

Union Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave had constituted a monitoring committee for overseeing the outbreak of Avian Influenza. The panel comprises member secretary of Central Zoo Authority, director National Zoological Park and deputy Inspector General of Forest (Wildlife).

The committee said that the control and containment measures of avian influenza in the affected zoos are being continued which includes continuted surveillance and screening for any dead bird, enforcement of bio-security measures and disinfection by spraying of anti-virus.

"Activities of other birds in the zoos appear to be normal. Sample of all 27 species of birds have been collected and sent for examination in the Gandhi Zoological Park, Gwalior," the official statement said.