Patna Zoo will remain closed for common people till March 7

Patna. The presence of H5N1 avian influenza has been confirmed in Patna following the sudden death of crows near the Patna High Court and in Kankarbagh area, as well as the death of chickens at a university research center in Chitkohra, the office of the District Animal Husbandry Officer, Patna, has confirmed. As a precautionary measure, Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park (Patna Zoo) will remain closed for the general public till March 7 i.e. for a week. J-Sector West Park has also been advised to be closed for a week, as both fall within 1 km of the epicenter and have been classified as “infected zones”. According to an official press release issued by the Director of Patna Zoo, “To ensure the safety of wildlife and zoo staff from avian influenza (H5N1), all necessary precautionary measures and disinfection activities are being taken. These measures are being implemented as per the Government of India’s 2021 Revised Action Plan for Avian Influenza.” Bihar Dairy, Fisheries and Animal Resources Department culled 4,575 poultry birds. Following reports of unusual bird deaths, results from a Bhopal lab confirmed the spread of the disease. Rapid response teams destroyed 9,662 eggs and 530 kg of poultry feed to prevent the spread of the virus.
Disinfection operations are underway in the infected zones to strengthen biosafety protocols in the surrounding areas. The department also issued public guidelines stating that the virus is neutralized at 70°C and poultry products are safe to eat if they are cleaned and thoroughly cooked at this temperature. Officials said that although avian influenza has been present in India since 2006, no human infection has been recorded in the country till date. The general public has been instructed to avoid touching or cutting dead birds and to report any sick bird to the local animal husbandry department. Symptoms in poultry include swelling of the head, blue discoloration of the legs or comb, and sudden death. People have been advised to contact Patna Control Room for official information and not to spread unverified rumours.