The staff members removed the dead birds with bare hands and did not take necessary precautionary measures
Even though the Delhi government and concerned authorities have swung into action after samples of Avian Influenza tested positive in birds at Delhi Zoo, the virus may have already affected some in Delhi. In a case of gross negligence, the Delhi zoo staff may have come in contact with the virus while removing the dead birds from the zoo premises.
Top sources in the Delhi government said that the zoo staff members didn’t use the preventive measures before removing the dead carcass and have now been kept under observation.
“The zoo staff members removed the dead birds with their bare hands, whereby violating prescribed laws. The rules state that the zoo keepers are supposed to wear proper gear, like gloves, masks and gum boots to ensure that the diseases don’t communicate to the staff members,” said a Delhi government official.
According to doctors, the Avian Influenza can be fatal to human if the humans come in direct contact with the affected poultry. “Avian flu is spread in humans when a person comes in contact with infected birds/poultry or consumes infected poultry or comes in contact with another infected human being. This infection has high mortality rates. A patient should be suspected to have this disease only if there is exposure to infected poultry or individual,” said Dr. Raman Abhi, additional director, internal medicine, Fortis Memorial Research Institute.
As per the government data, a total of 24 birds have died across Delhi with three being attributed to the influenza.
Confirming the reports, Delhi Development minister Gopal Rai said that all the zoo staff members have been kept under observation. “We have established a medical center at the Delhi zoo, and all the staff members are being medicated at regular intervals. Our teams are also observing them regularly at the medical center,” said Rai.
Meanwhile, the Delhi government also has set up a helpline number 23890318 for citizens to inform the government about suspicious bird deaths. “No truck will be allowed to enter the mandi sans a fitness certificate from Oct 23 and team of vets and mandi officials will be formed,” said Rai.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Bird Flu, New Delhi, Delhi Zoo, Avian Influenza")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}