Bird flu scare prompts authorities to shut down Delhi zoo

New Delhi: Suspected cases of Avia influenza at the Delhi zoo have prompted authorities to shut down its premises.

According to zoo sources, around 8 water birds and a few ducks and pelicans were reported to have been affected by bird flu last week.

“The zoo has been shut down until further notice. We have sent samples of a couple of dead ducks to Jalandhar and Mathura. We are awaiting the report,” a zoo official said.

These cases come a nearly month after India declared itself free from the highly contagious avian influenza (H5N1) or bird flu.

The official claimed that the influenza will not affect humans and the shutting down of zoo premises was a precautionary measure.