The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) closed the Red Fort to visitors on Tuesday after a sample taken from dead crows found on the premises tested positive for bird flu. The sample was sent for testing to the Animal Husbandry Unit of the Delhi government’s Development Department.
According to an official, the ASI ordered the closure of the monument till January 26, Republic Day.
“Fifteen crows had died there and we sent one sample for testing. On January 17, the result of the sample came back positive for bird flu. We then informed authorities to declare it a surveillance zone,” an official of the Animal Husbandry Department said.
A total of 24 samples from nine locations in the city have tested positive for bird flu till now, the official added. The site remains closed every year from January 22 till January 26, the ASI official added.
Apart from the Red Fort, officials in charge of all Centrally-protected monuments were asked to remain vigilant, especially at sites with waterbodies, the ASI official said.
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