Vandalur zoo closes for two days after bird flu deaths

Chennai: Seven waterbirds at the Vedanthangal enclosure of Vandalur Zoo died of H5N1 avian influenza, a national laboratory confirmed on Wednesday. The result comes seven months after 40 birds died at Guindy Children’s Park.

The zoo will remain closed on Oct 22 and 23. The National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal confirmed the H5N1 avian influenza virus in the birds.

“We sent the samples for testing when the birds died. The results were out today.

Disinfection measures were taken soon after the deaths were reported. No deaths have been reported since the last death on Oct. 9,” zoo director Ritto Cyriac told TOI, adding that “the outbreak is likely over.”H5N1 is a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza (bird flu) that spreads mainly among birds, wild and domestic, kills them in large numbers, and can occasionally infect mammals, including humans.

Among birds, H5N1 spreads mainly through virus shed in droppings, saliva and nasal secretions. Sick birds often show breathing, eye and nerve problems, or die suddenly.

Four painted storks, a pelican grey, a grey heron and a darter died between Oct 3 and Oct 9 in the zoo. The zoo disinfected the area and treated the remaining birds.

“Medicines including prophylactic oral antibiotics, herbal antiviral medications, immunostimulants and liver supplements were given to all water birds through fish for seven days. Enclosures were sprayed with an antiviral disinfectant solution.

The water inside was disinfected, cleaned, and replaced with fresh water. The affected area was cordoned off with ropes to restrict visitor access,” Cyriac added.

The zoo authorities, meanwhile, urged visitors to cooperate with the closure. “This temporary measure is intended to facilitate intensive sanitisation, strengthen biosecurity measures, and ensure close monitoring of the situation,” the zoo said in release.

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Key quotes

• “We sent the samples for testing when the birds died. The results were out today. Disinfection measures were taken soon after the deaths were reported. No deaths have been reported since the last death on Oct. 9,”

• “the outbreak is likely over.”

• “This temporary measure is intended to facilitate intensive sanitisation, strengthen biosecurity measures, and ensure close monitoring of the situation,”