Delhi Zoo issues emergency advisory after bird flu confirmed in dead tigress at Gorakhpur zoo

The Delhi Zoo has issued an internal advisory directing staff to enforce “strictest biosecurity measures” as part of emergency preparedness after H5 avian influenza or bird flu was recently confirmed in a tigress that died at the Gorakhpur Zoo in Uttar Pradesh.

- GNS News Agency

The scare comes amid the summer holidays when the footfall is usually high. The internal memorandum was issued on Thursday by Dr Sanjeet Kumar, IFS, director of the Delhi Zoo: “In view of the recent incidence of avian influenza (H5) at Gorakhpur Zoo, UP all preventive measures for preparedness and surveillance of the avian influenza have to be carried out in order to keep the zoo animals, visitors and its staff safe and healthy,” the advisory stated. It instructed that “the staff and workers engaged in the various sections of the zoo, particularly for management of animals scrupulously shall follow the preventive biosafety measures prescribed:Work in the zoo wearing uniform only. Do not take uniform, gumboots, and shoes home.Medicine should be regularly put in the footpath constructed at the entrance of the enclosuresWhile entering and exiting the wards, soles of the feet, including shoes, should be thoroughly dipped in the footbath. Hands should be washed thoroughly with soap before starting work, during work, and after completing work. A bed of lime or bleaching powder should be made in front of the entry and exit of the zoo and enclosures, and while entering and exiting, the soles of the feet, including shoes, should be kept properly on the bed. Birds and wild animals should be inspected 2-3 times a day and entries should be made in the be