Delhi Zoo was closed on August 30, 2025 in New Delhi as a consequence of avian flu. Photograph credit score: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap
The Delhi Zoo can be closed for guests beginning Saturday (August 30, 2025) after it was found that two painted storks had been contaminated with the H5N1 chook flu virus, officers stated.
An announcement issued Friday (August 29, 2025) by zoo authorities discovered that strict security and surveillance measures are in place to forestall the illness from spreading to different birds, animals or zoo employees.
Samples from two lifeless birds have been despatched to the Nationwide Excessive Security Animal Ailments (NIHSAD) in Bhopal on August twenty seventh. They examined optimistic for H5N1 on August twenty eighth, they stated.
Delhi Zoo was closed on August 30, 2025 in New Delhi as a consequence of avian flu. Photograph credit score: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap
In response to the World Well being Group (WHO), avian influenza A (H5N1) is a subtype of influenza virus that primarily infects birds, however in uncommon instances can have an effect on mammals, together with people.
The H5N1 virus geese/Cantonese lineage first appeared in 1996 and subsequently recurred in chook populations.
Zoo authorities stated instant containment measures have been deployed in keeping with the Centre’s 2021 “Motion Plan for Preparation, Management and Containment of Avian Influenza” to forestall spreading the virus to different animals, birds and employees.
Intensive monitoring and strict biosecurity protocols are carried out inside the facility. The zoo closure is a precautionary measure to guard public well being and can stay in place till additional discover, they stated.
