Mysuru: A Spot Billed Pelican died due to suspected avian influenza (H5N8) inside the bird enclosure at Mysuru zoo taking the death toll to five, here on Thursday. It may be recalled that the 124-year-old Mysuru Zoo will remain closed for one month from January 4 owing to outbreak of Avian Influenza.
Two migratory and free-range birds — Spot Billed Pelican and Greylag Goose — died on Dec 28, 2016 triggering panic among Zoo staffers. Then on Dec 31, another Spot Billed Pelican and a Greylag Goose were found dead at the Zoo. On Thursday morning, Zoo staffers found yet another Spot Billed Pelican dead, taking the number to five. The Zoo authorities have sent the samples to the Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals (IAH&VB), Bengaluru and National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal, for testing.
K Kamala Karikalan, Executive Director, Mysuru Zoo, said that a team from District Surveillance Committee from Bengaluru will visit Mysuru Zoo on Thursday evening to take stock of the prevailing situation.
“The process of sanitising the zoo premises has begun. Tamiflu tablets will be given to those working in the zoo, especially to those who are looking after birds. Tamiflu is an anti-viral medication used to treat influenza A and influenza B, and to prevent flu after exposure. The tablet has to be taken for 10 days as a precautionary measure,” Karikalan said.
