10 birds die in Delhi’s Deer Park, anti-virus operation ordered

Ten more birds died on Sunday due to bird flu in the now shut Deer Park in Delhi, prompting Delhi Animal Husbandry Minister Gopal Rai to order an anti-virus drive.

Ten more birds died on Sunday due to bird flu in the now shut Deer Park in Delhi, prompting Delhi animal husbandry minister Gopal Rai to order an anti-virus drive.

People wearing masks near the closed gate of the Deer park in New Delhi on Sunday.(Arun Sharma/HT PHOTO)

After a visit to the park in Hauz Khas, Rai set up a 10-member team to spray anti-virus Mycrodacyn in the area. He ordered a sample of water from the sprawling park to be sent to the central lab in Bhopal.

The same lab had earlier confirmed that the virus strain found in the initial sample of birds was H5N8 avian influenza.

Rai expressed concern over the rising fatalities among migratory birds. Seventeen birds had died on Saturday in the park, which is home to a large number of deer. Six birds had died on Friday.

“To increase immunity among birds, they will be given multi-vitamins and pieces of garlic along with their food,” the minister said.

Rai called a meeting of coordination committee in the Delhi Secretariat on Monday to mull further action on the spread of H5N8 influenza virus.

The Delhi government on Thursday set up a 23-member committee to coordinate work among various departments and to probe the reasons behind the bird deaths.

Because of bird flu deaths, the Delhi Zoo has also been ordered shut until further notice.