Bird flu scare: Death of a tigress lead to closure of zoos in Uttar Pradesh

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Threat of bird flu averted in these three districts, IVRI report revealed ...
5 hours ago — Concern over bird flu in many districts of Purvanchal including Gorakhpur. Now it has reduced to some extent, but in this entire process, the activeness of the Animal Husbandry Department and the timely steps taken averted a potential crisis.
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On May 7, after the death of tigress 'Shakti' in Gorakhpur Zoological Park, when bird flu was confirmed in her samples, there was a stir in the district. This was not a normal incident. Because a sensitive place like a zoo could be vulnerable to this infection. Immediately after this, the Animal Husbandry Department activated the Rapid Response Team without delay. Samples of 562 birds were taken from poultry farms spread across 20 blocks of the district and sent to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) in Bareilly for examination.
The report of the samples came negative
The matter of relief was that the report of all the samples came negative. But the vigilance, monitoring and departmental coordination behind this positive result is the real news. The department sent a total of 562 samples in two phases, 179 in the first phase and 383 in the second. In the report, 387 samples taken from 248 farms of Gorakhpur and more than 100 samples taken from Kushinagar and Maharajganj were found safe. Zoo doctor Yogesh says that during this time the department not only saved the poultry industry from getting affected, but also prevented an atmosphere of fear from being created among the citizens. At present, the threat of bird flu is considered to be limited only to the zoo. But a special monitoring team has been deployed there too, so that there is no chance of infection.

https://hindi.news18.com/news/uttar-pradesh/jhansi-apply-in-one-station-one-product-scheme-thus-is-the-procedure-local18-ws-kl-9266313.html

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May 28, 2025

Kanpur news: The threat of bird flu is increasing in Kanpur Zoo, now lioness Uma has stopped eating; sample sent to Bhopal for examination

Kanpur: The threat of bird flu still remains in Kanpur Zoo. Bird flu was confirmed after the death of Pataudi, a lion brought from Gorakhpur. After this, the death of two more birds increased the concern, due to which Kanpur Zoo has been closed till June 10. The threat of bird flu is increasing in the city's Kanpur Zoo. In view of the possibility of infection, the zoo administration has completely closed the zoo for visitors till June 10. At the same time, now the news of lioness Uma's health deteriorating and her not eating for two days has made the situation more serious.

Apart from lioness Uma, the zoo administration has taken samples of lion Ajay, lioness Nandini and lion cub Shankar and sent them for examination to the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases in Bhopal. Everyone's health is being monitored. Fear increased after Pataudi's death. A few days ago, the lion Pataudi died due to bird flu. After this, a peacock was found dead in the zoo's jungle safari area, and then a surkhab bird also died in the zoo premises. Now when the health of lioness Uma has deteriorated, the officers are shocked.

Safety protocols related to bird flu
The protocol is exposed, the zoo administration admits the mistake The most shocking thing is that the safety protocols related to bird flu were not followed when the lion Pataudi was brought to Kanpur Zoo. Neither the keepers were wearing masks, nor did the rest of the staff take any precautions. The zoo administration has also accepted this negligence. Officials said that Pataudi was brought on the basis of the doctors of Gorakhpur and the transportation report. When the doctors of Kanpur made their report, no one advised that the lion be sent back. That is why his treatment was started here.

https://hindi.news18.com/news/uttar-pradesh/kanpur-the-threat-of-bird-flu-is-increasing-in-kanpur-zoo-now-lioness-uma-has-stopped-eating-health-deteriorated-local18-ws-d-9269944.html

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May 28, 2025

Kanpur: Bird flu not confirmed in many wildlife, lake, pond of the zoo

Bird flu has not been confirmed in many wildlife, lakes and ponds of the zoo. The report of 11 samples sent to IVRR Bareilly by the Central Zoo Authority came negative on Wednesday. Now the report of the National Institute of Advanced Animal Diseases, Bhopal is awaited.

On May 21, a five-member team of the Central Zoo Authority came to the zoo for investigation. It included Joint Director of Department of Animal Husbandry Delhi Dr. Vijay Kumar Tewatia, Senior Scientist of National Institute of Advanced Animal Diseases Bhopal Dr. Manoj Kumar, Wildlife Head of IVRI Bareilly Dr. M Pawade and Scientist Dr. M Karikalan, Senior Scientist of Wildlife Institute of India Dehradun Dr. Karan Jain. The team collected samples from wildlife as well as from lakes, ponds, tanks made for wildlife to drink water and other places where water collects. These were sent to Bareilly and Bhopal labs for testing.

The report of 11 samples from Bareilly has come negative, which included water and wildlife samples. The report has brought a lot of relief. However, the final report is yet to come from Bhopal lab. As soon as it arrives, the danger can be considered to be less. - Shraddha Yadav, Director Zoo

https://www.amarujala.com/uttar-pradesh/kanpur/kanpur-bird-flu-not-confirmed-in-many-wildlife-lake-pond-of-zoo-2025-05-28

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Wed, 28 May 2025

Bird Flue In Gorakhpur: Gorakhpur Zoo is now closed till June 3, this decision has been taken regarding opening it- know when it will open

Gorakhpur Zoo Closed: Director Vikas Yadav said that the zoo will remain closed for visitors from May 28 to June 3. All the infected animals are undergoing treatment. Their condition is fine now. On Monday, samples of infected animals as well as other animals have been sent to Bhopal. The zoo will be opened only after two negative reports come in a week.

continued: https://www.amarujala.com/gorakhpur/...p-a&position=1

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May 29, 2025
Leopard cubs infected with bird flu in Gorakhpur zoo: Both one-month-old cubs in isolation, being fed mineral water

Two leopard cubs have been found infected with bird flu in Shaheed Ashfaqulla Khan Zoological Park in Gorakhpur. Both the cubs are being treated in isolation. According to doctors, the cubs have weak immunity due to their young age.

These cubs were rescued from Balrampur a month ago. At that time they were one month old and were separated from their mother. Their immune system became weak due to not getting mother's milk.
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Due to the possibility of infection in water, mineral water is being given to carnivorous animals on the instructions of Minister of State for Forest and Environment Dr. Arun Kumar Saxena.

https://www.bhaskar.com/local/uttar-pradesh/gorakhpur/news/leopard-cubs-in-gorakhpur-zoo-infected-with-bird-flu-135125450.html

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Kanpur 8 hours ago
Bird flu report came negative from Bareilly IVRI: Kanpur Zoo's Babbar lions Ajay and Shankar are negative, lioness has not eaten food for 4 days

The bird flu report in many wildlife, lakes and ponds of Kanpur Zoo has come negative. The zoo administration has heaved a sigh of relief after the report of 11 samples sent by the Central Zoo Authority to IVRI Bareilly came negative. Now the report of the National Institute of Advanced Animal Diseases, Bhopal is awaited.
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11 bird flu negative reports have come in the report sent from Kanpur Zoo. In them, two lions Ajay and Shankar as well as one bird have been reported bird flu negative.
Report of pond water and soil is negative... Samples of water and soil of the lake inside the zoo were sent for testing, their reports have also been found negative.
Report of meat and fish is also bird flu negative... Samples of meat and fish which are given as food to the wild animals were also taken which were sent for testing. Report of meat and fish has also been found bird flu negative.
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There is no improvement in the eating habits of female lioness Uma... Female lioness Uma did not eat food on Monday and Tuesday in Kanpur Zoo. After this, the zoo administration expressed concern and took her samples and sent them for testing. Even after four days, there has been no improvement in her eating habits. A team of veterinarians is taking care of female lioness Uma with full protocol.

The zoo administration is still waiting for 23 tests... Samples were also sent to Bhopal by the zoo administration for testing, the Kanpur zoo administration is still waiting for those reports. Kanpur Zoo Director Shraddha Yadav has said that the test report will come from Bhopal soon.

The protocol related to bird flu infection will be completed in this way to open the zoo... Regarding opening the zoo, Shraddha Yadav said that all the protocols related to bird flu will be completed. The reports of the samples of wild animals sent have not come yet. In the protocol of bird flu, samples of wild animals are sent, the decision to open will be taken only after getting negative reports twice in an interval of 15 days, looking at the condition of the wildlife.

https://www.bhaskar.com/local/uttar-pradesh/kanpur/news/bird-flu-report-bareilly-ivri-came-negative-kanpur-zoo-babbar-lions-ajay-shankar-negative-135125522.html

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May 31, 2025
Gorakhpur News: Fear of bird flu in Gorakhpur, chicken shops closed for 21 days

The threat of bird flu has increased in Gorakhpur. After the death of animals in the zoo, cases were also reported in the city. Chicken shops have been closed for 21 days. Samples from the shops were found positive. The administration destroyed the chickens and sanitized the area.

Gorakhpur: Bird flu has caused a stir in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh. After the death of five animals in the zoo, cases of bird flu have also been reported in the city. Samples in four chicken shops and the zoo have been found positive. After this, the shops have been ordered to be closed for 21 days. Officials reached the shops and destroyed the chickens and sanitized the area. People have been appealed to avoid rumors. Avian Influenza H5N1 and H9N2 viruses have been found in the samples taken on May 20. The administration has banned the sale of chicken and asked people to be alert.

The risk of bird flu has increased in Gorakhpur. Many animals have already died in the zoo. Now people are scared after bird flu cases have been found in the city as well. The health department and the municipal corporation team have jointly started action. Bird flu viruses have been found in chicken shops in some areas of the city. The virus has been detected in chicken shops in Jhungiya Bazaar, Aluminium Factory Hardhwa Gate, Taramandal and Bhagat Chauraha. A sample has also been found positive in Shaheed Ashfaqulla Khan Zoological Park.

The team of the health department of the municipal corporation took samples from these shops on May 20. Investigation revealed that some samples contained avian influenza H5N1 and H9N2 viruses. These viruses are responsible for bird flu. After finding the virus, the administration took immediate action.
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Gorakhpur's Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Dharmendra Pandey said that on May 20, samples were taken from four chicken shops and a zoo. These samples were taken by the team of the Municipal Corporation's Health Department. He said that these samples were sent to a lab in Bhopal for testing. After the report came positive, instructions have been given to close all the chicken shops in the metropolis for 21 days.

https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/state/uttar-pradesh/gorakhpur/fear-of-bird-flu-in-gorakhpur-chicken-shops-closed-for-21-days/articleshow/121538158.cms

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31 May 2025

Why are chicken shops being closed in Gorakhpur? The authorities had to take this step because of this

Gorakhpur News: After the death of five animals from bird flu in Gorakhpur zoo, now the fear of bird flu has created panic in the metropolis. After the samples of four chicken shops and the zoo came positive, instructions have been given to close the chicken shops for 21 days. The officials reached the shops and destroyed the chickens and along with sanitizing the shops, sanitization was done in an area of one kilometer. All the chicken shop operators of the metropolis have been instructed to take precautions. The city dwellers have been appealed to avoid any kind of rumor.

Samples of chicken sellers from Jhungiya Bazar, Aluminium Factory Hardhwa Phatak chicken seller, Taramandal chicken seller, Bhagat Chauraha chicken seller, Shaheed Ashfaqulla Khan animal of Gorakhpur city have been found positive. These samples were collected by the health department team of the municipal corporation on May 20. Some of these samples have been found to be avian influenza H5N1 and H9N2 positive.
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The district administration has banned the sale of chicken and appealed to the people to be cautious and not fall prey to rumors. 1470 samples have been collected from Gorakhpur Basti Mandal for bird flu testing from various poultry farms on different working days. 1328 samples were collected in Gorakhpur district, all of which were found negative. It was sent to the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NISHAD) in Bhopal.
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https://www.abplive.com/states/up-uk/gorakhpur-chicken-shop-closed-due-to-bird-flu-1-km-area-was-sanitized-ann-2954324

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Challenge for One Health: Co-Circulation of Zoonotic H5N1 and H9N2 Avian Influenza Viruses in Egypt

excerpt:

Therefore, co-circulation of H5N1 and H9N2 viruses in poultry farming and live bird markets has increased the risk of human exposure, resulting in complication of the epidemiological situation and raising a concern for potential emergence of a new influenza A virus pandemic.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/article...tion%20of%20H5 N1,new%20influenza%20A%20virus%20pandemic.

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Bird Flu confirmed in Gorakhpur: Chicken shops to be shut for 21 days

May 31, 2025,
Gorakhpur: Bird flu has been confirmed in five localities of Gorakhpur, prompting authorities to shut all live bird markets across the city for the next 21 days. The decision follows laboratory confirmation of avian influenza strains H5N1 and H9N2 in poultry samples collected from the affected areas, Gorakhpur administration informed. Samples were taken from birds in Jhungia Bazar, Aluminium Factory area, Taramandal, Bhagat Chauraha, and Shaheed Ashfaqullah Khan Zoological Park. These were sent to the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal, which confirmed the presence of the virus.

In response, the Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) has activated district-level rapid response teams. A control room has also been set up at the Sadar Veterinary Hospital under the supervision of Manish Chandra.

Following the confirmation, additional municipal commissioner Nirankar Singh informed that as per Central Government guidelines, culling operations have begun within a 1-km radius of the infected zones. All live birds within this zone will be culled, and thorough disinfection drives are underway.

The CVO has appealed to the public not to believe in rumours and to cooperate with the administration. Meanwhile, poultry samples from various farms sent to IVRI Izzatnagar, Bareilly, tested negative for bird flu.

A total of 1,328 samples from Gorakhpur and 1,470 samples from the Gorakhpur-Basti division were tested during the surveillance exercise.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/.../121537473.cms

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Sun, 01 Jun 2025

.Gorakhpur. Bird flu infection has been found in four chicken shops in the city. The special thing is that this infection has been found in the knife used to cut chicken, chopping board (platform for cutting meat) and the water and bucket used to wash it. This sample was taken on May 20, while the report came on the 30th.

Meanwhile, thousands of people bought meat from those shops. In such a situation, it is suspected that those people also ate infected meat. After the death of tigress Shakti from bird flu in the zoo, random samples were taken from poultry farms in the entire district.

The report of 1300 samples from Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly came negative. Meanwhile, samples of chicken, knife, chopping board and water were taken from meat shops in the city.

These were sent to National Institute of Advanced Animal Diseases, Bhopal for examination. When the report came, infection was confirmed in knife, chopping board and water. But, it was not found in the chicken.

Experts say that if infection is found in the knife, it means an infected bird must have been cut with it. The report has come after 10 days. That means the shopkeeper has cut and sold chicken on the same chopping board for 10 days.

Investigation of where the chicken was bought from

The meat shops from which the samples were taken are retail shopkeepers. In the initial investigation, the shopkeepers have not been able to tell from where they bought these chickens. Because, these shopkeepers had purchased chickens through middlemen. At present, the Animal Husbandry Department has started investigating it. On the other hand, the sample of the dead crow in the zoo was also sent for testing, where bird flu has been confirmed. Earlier also, bird flu has been confirmed in two crows in the zoo.

Infection has been confirmed in knives, chopping boards and water at four meat shops. In the areas where bird flu positive cases have been found, the work of culling, killing and disinfecting live birds within a radius of one kilometer has been started. - Dr. Dhamendra Pandey, Chief Veterinary Officer

https://www.amarujala.com/gorakhpur/bird-flu-infection-found-in-knives-chopping-boards-and-dirty-water-at-four-shops-in-gorakhpur-2025-06-01?pageId=4

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Post #70

... Gorakhpur, prompting authorities to shut all live bird markets across the city for the next 21 days

The current metro area population of Gorakhpur in 2025 is 817,000, a 1.87% increase from 2024.

https://www.macrotrends.net/global-metrics/cities/21253/gorakhpur/population

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Translation
June 1, 2025
Bird flu havoc in Gorakhpur


Excerpt:
More than 1000 chickens were killed
The joint team of Animal Husbandry Department and Municipal Corporation took a big action today and killed about 1000 chickens found infected and buried them in the ground. This step has been taken to prevent the spread of infection. The department has informed that this process will continue further and action will be taken in other areas as per the need.

Sanitization and Control Room
The Municipal Corporation is carrying out large-scale sanitization in the infected areas. At the same time, the Animal Husbandry Department has set up a control room, where the general public can contact for any kind of information or assistance. Along with this, a helpline number has also been issued, so that people can immediately inform the department about symptoms of infection or suspicious incidents.
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Appeal to the people
The administration has appealed to the general public to avoid rumors, be vigilant and immediately inform the Animal Husbandry Department or Municipal Corporation on seeing any sick bird or animal. Everyone will have to cooperate to stop the infection.

https://hindi.dynamitenews.com/uttar-pradesh/bird-flu-wreaks-havoc-in-gorakhpur-infection-spreads-in-many-areas-21-days-ban-on-chicken-sale

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Source: https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/in...rations-start/


Home / India / Bird flu confirmed in 5 localities in Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur, culling operations start
Bird flu confirmed in 5 localities in Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur, culling operations start
Samples collected from Jhungia Bazar, Aluminium Factory area, Taramandal, Bhagat Chauraha and Shaheed Ashfaqullah Khan Zoological Park test positive for the virus
PTI
Gorakhpur (UP), Updated At : 09:13 AM Jun 01, 2025 IST

Bird flu has been confirmed in five localities here, prompting local administration to order the immediate closure of all live bird markets in the city for 21 days and launch culling operations in and around the infected areas, according to officials.
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“The National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal confirmed the presence of avian influenza strains H5N1 and H9N2 in poultry samples,” Additional Municipal Commissioner Nirankar Singh said on Saturday.

Samples collected from Jhungia Bazar, Aluminium Factory area, Taramandal, Bhagat Chauraha and Shaheed Ashfaqullah Khan Zoological Park tested positive for the virus, according to the Gorakhpur administration.

In a swift response to the outbreak, the Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) has mobilised district-level Rapid Response Teams and a dedicated control room has been established at the Sadar Veterinary Hospital, the officials said.

Additional Municipal Commissioner Nirankar Singh announced that culling operations have commenced within a one-kilometre radius of the infected zones in strict adherence to central government guidelines...