Bhopal lab to test samples from Mysuru zoo

Even though no further bird deaths have been reported at the Mysuru zoo due to avian influenza H5N8, the zoo, on the advice of the Central Zoo Authority, will send the first set of bird dropping samples collected from the zoo stock to Bhopal on Thursday.

The samples have been collected at random and are being readied for despatch to the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases in Bhopal. Another set of samples will be sent after 15 days.

All the samples will be tested only at Bhopal, and the Institute of Animal Health and Veterinary Biologicals in Bengaluru will coordinate with the zoo in monitoring the outbreak and will interact with the Bhopal lab if required.

If the two samples test negative, the zoo management, after consulting experts, may consider reopening the zoo, which is supposed to be closed till February 2. Samples of the pelican that died recently had tested negative for bird flu.

Kamala Karikalan, the zoo’s Executive Director, told The Hindu , “There has to be a time gap between collecting samples and the time of outbreak confirmation. Fifteen days are needed to send the samples, as per the protocol.”

She said the first round of disinfecting the zoo premises has been completed and almost all the ponds drained as a precaution. Pond number 3, where migratory birds were found dead because of H5N8, was drained immediately after the outbreak.

Three pelicans and four geese have died at the zoo since December 28 and there have been six H5N8 deaths. There is reportedly pressure from the government and elected representatives to reopen the zoo at the earliest as its closure is said to have hit tourist footfall.