Avian influenza test results of wild bird carcasses to be out in two weeks

Tau Devi Lal Biodiversity park, where carcasses of four crows and one egret were found on Friday morning, will continue to remain open.

The wildlife department officials on Saturday said that test reports of wild bird carcasses retrieved from Tau Devi Lal Biodiversity Park to detect Avian Influenza (H5N8) will be declared in two weeks. Officials cited that due to a high volume of samples at the Regional Disease Diagnostic Lab in Jalandhar, the test results are getting delayed.

Officials cited that due to a high volume of samples at the Regional Disease Diagnostic Lab in Jalandhar, the test results are getting delayed. (Santosh Kumar/HT Photo)

“Nothing concrete can be said about the avian influenza until the test results are declared. It will take nearly 15 days as informed by the lab. Until then we will continue to monitor the status as migratory birds are arriving at Sultanpur bird sanctuary,” said Rajesh Chahal, wildlife inspector, Gurugram on Saturday. According to him, the park has been closed for public since the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic.

Tau Devi Lal Biodiversity park, where carcasses of four crows and one egret were found on Friday morning, will continue to remain open. Samples of two birds have been sent for testing while other birds are buried. Amid a bird flu scare in the national Capital, Sanjay lake and three recreational parks were closed on Saturday. Officials in Gurugram said that the parks in the district will remain open as there is no fear of infection yet.

Subhash Yadav, metropolitan green planner in GMDA’s urban environment division, said, “Decision of closing major parks like Tau Devi Lal, and those in sectors 29 and 22 will be taken after test results are out or in case if we find more carcasses.”

Haryana has notified an outbreak of influenza strain H5N8, with Panchkula’s Ganauli and Kheri being declared as the epicentre. In Gurugram, to keep an eye on the situation, 28 teams have been formed by the animal husbandry department to check poultry farms and markets for sick or dead birds. Lab staff has also been trained to detect avian flu symptoms from other diseases. They are monitoring the status of chicken farms and migratory birds on wetlands, who are feared to be spreading the disease.