6 more birds die of suspected avian influenza, toll 64

Six more birds were found dead in the national capital today taking the suspected avian influenza toll to 64 as the bird flu scare continued in the city.
Development Minister Gopal Rai, who chaired a meeting of Coordination Committee of different departments today, said two ducks and four other birds were found dead at Deer Park and at a lake located at Shakti Sthal respectively.
The Delhi government has issued an 11-point health advisory with a list of do's and don'ts. It has asked people not to eat half-boiled eggs and meat.
The Minister blamed the DDA for increasing numbers of death of birds at Deer Park, saying if the agency was active, the government could have better controlled the situation.

A team of National Institute of Virology has collected samples from Delhi zoo to ascertain the reason behind the avian deaths.
Rai said the government has ordered all departments to spread 'chuna' (lime powder) around every water body besides spraying antivirus Sodium Hypochlorite around all water bodies where birds gather.

He also said multivitamin is being mixed with food served to birds to contain the situation.
The government has formed a 12-member team of all three municipal corporations. The team will be given training tomorrow on how to deal with bird flu.
Both the zoo and the DDA-run deer park continue to remain shut due to the bird flu scare. Samtha Sthal is the new place where bird deaths have been reported.

As the sample reports are coming late, the Development Minister said he will meet Union Agriculture Minister tomorrow and request him to direct Bhopal-based lab to send the reports at the earliest as it will help the government control the situation.