Dead bird spotted in Palam Vihar, residents flag flu concerns

Residents of upscale Palam Vihar colony informed police and the wild life department on Monday after spotting a dead bird in the E-block park frequented by a large number of residents.

The confirmation of bird deaths in Delhi because of avian flu has put Gurgaon on alert. Residents of upscale Palam Vihar colony informed police and the wild life department on Monday after spotting a dead bird in the E-block park frequented by a large number of residents.

Residents informed police and the wild life department after they spotted the dead bird in a park on Monday. (HT Photo)

Although a wildlife official, who visited the spot, said the bird might have died in an accident and discounted the possibility of flu, residents called for investigation into the issue.

The morning walkers who kept a watch over the dead bird till police arrived said surveillance by wildlife department should be robust particularly as flu is allegedly spreading in Delhi. Rajiv Kapur, a block E resident, said some residents found the dead bird around 8 am and informed the police and district administration immediately. “Bird flu has spread in Delhi and we wanted to be careful so that no child or animal comes in contact with the body which could be contagious,” Kapur said.

The wildlife department said the bird died after being hit by a vehicle. “Without a post-mortem examination and lab investigation, how can they claimed that there is no spread of flu? There is a need to have a more professional approach,” Umesh Anand of E block said. He also questioned claims by a wildlife official that local birds did not carry the virus, citing incidents in Delhi.

Residents also demanded that safety kits and disinfectants should be distributed among the residents’ welfare associations (RWAs) so that they can take precautionary action.

Sub-inspector Krishan Kumar, who was at spot, said, “Such concern and alacrity is rare and we will be at the spot till appropriate action is taken by the wildlife department.”

“We have examined the dead bird found in Palam Vihar today (Monday) and concluded that there was no threat of flu. The bird was hit by a fast moving vehicle which was the reason for its death. There is no space for any speculations regarding avian flu in Gurgaon as of now. We are observing the behaviour of migratory birds to avoid any untoward incident,” Shyam Sunder Kaushik, divisional forest officer (wildlife) Gurgaon, said.