Jharkhand zoos on alert following bird flu outbreak in Patna

RANCHI: Zoos across Jharkhand are on preventive alert following the outbreak of bird flu in the neighbouring state's — Sanjay Gandhi Jaivik Udhan in Patna prompting its closure till further notice on Tuesday triggering panic. Authorities at Ranchi’s Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park said that they have already beefed up efforts to sanitise their premises spread across 104 hectare area.
"All that we have begun now is to double spraying of anti-viral disinfectants in and around all animal enclosures now.This apart, we have started sprinkling hydrated lime across footpaths and pavements as a means to kill any infectant," said Ranchi zoo vet Ajay Kumar when contacted on the efforts being taken.
The lone state owned zoo has also taken a policy decision now to not introduce or allow entry of new bird species into its aviary. It is because, flu threat doubles up more during the migratory season of birds in during winters, said officials.
“Birds happen to be the intermediary host of influenza or other viruses, which could be fatal for humans. So, if any new bird comes with infection and beaks anywhere, threat of infection is more. So, we are highly conscious regarding this and special regular surveillance is done at the aviary in shifts,” informed Kumar.
Birsa zoo has over 500 birds across 39 different species at its aviary.
Zoo management has also directed keepers for proper check of feeds that come from poultry to their park. “Also, we have now started scanning poultries that exist in and around the zoo just to see if any infected bird doesn’t exist there,” he added.
Jamshedpur’s Tata Zoological Park director Bipul Chakraborty said that their winter action plan is already on where in they are focussing on all the aspects of proper zoo upkeep. “The action plan covers right from initiating steps to keep inmates warm and cosy to battling any threat of such infection. We are vigilant though,” he said over phone.
In-charge of Jawaharlal Nehru Biological Park, Gautam Chakraborty on the other hand said that though they haven’t received any specific guidelines from Central Zoo Authority (CZA), the apex body yet, regarding the outbreak of bird flu outside the state but they too are vigilant and alert.
“We have issued detailed guidelines to our staffs to adopt preventive measures in this regard,” he said briefly but didn’t detail.