The area up to one km of Kanpur Zoo was declared as the Contentment Zone.
The first case of bird flu that has spread in many states of the country has also been reported in Uttar Pradesh. Four days ago, bird flu has been confirmed in the wild chickens found dead in the zoo of Kanpur, after which the administration is now on high alert. The zoo has been ordered to kill the birds present in all the enclosures till Sunday evening. Also, an area up to one km from the zoo has been declared as a content zone. Not only this, the sale of meat has also been banned within a radius of 10 km.
The zoo was also closed for 15 days after the bird flu was confirmed, but now the zoo has been closed for an indefinite period. No one will be given entry into the zoo.
At present, the Health Department team is present in the zoo and preparations are being made to kill the birds. According to the information, first the chickens and parrots will be eradicated, after that there is a preparation to kill the duck and other birds. According to zoo officials, it is sad but it has to be done under protocol. Instructions have been given to kill all birds by Sunday evening.
Birds died on 6 January
On January 6, four birds were found dead in the zoo premises, after which the samples were sent to the Veterinary Laboratory in Bhopal amid high security. At the same time, the report of Saturday confirmed the presence of H-5 strain bird flu in the dead birds. Apart from this, crows were found dead in Sonbhadra, Barabanki, Ayodhya and Jhansi. Their sample has been sent to Bhopal for investigation. It may take a day or two to report it.
In Kanpur, the district administration has started the process of freeing all poultry farms from infection and teams have been formed to inspect the meat shops. Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Anil Kumar Mishra said that precautions for bird flu are similar to safety protocols for Covid.
“Masks, social distance and hygiene will help control the spread of this virus more dangerous than Covid,” he said.
Preparations to tackle bird flu in UP
In view of the increasing risk of bird flu in the country, the UP government has already issued rescue guidelines. Chickens brought in to eat non-vegetarian animals in zoos have been banned. The Uttar Pradesh government has issued instructions in all the districts and asked the district magistrates to see that the poultry products of other affected states do not enter the state.
The government directive states that poultry and eggs should not be transported in open vehicles and the market for poultry vendors should be closed once a week. Along with this, the birds’ beat and soil of their dwelling are being sent from different places for investigation.
