Latest news with #H5AvianInfluenza


Time of India
14-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Zoos, lion safari step up sanitation, monitoring to check bird flu spread
Lucknow: After the announcement of closure of zoos and Etawah Lion Safari in view of the potential threat of H5 Avian Influenza (bird flu), the authorities concerned on Wednesday said that constant monitoring of animals is being carried out and intensive sanitation and cleanliness is being maintained to check any possible spread of the it was confirmed that that death of tigress Shakti at the Gorakhpur Zoo on May 7 was due to bird flu, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held a high-level meeting on Tuesday and instructed officials to take all necessary preventive measures promptly and strictly in accordance with the guidelines issued by both the central and state govts to curb the possible spread of was also decided that Gorakhpur, Kanpur, and Lucknow zoos and Etawah Lion Safari will also remain closed till May 20. On Wednesday, the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) also ordered closure of all zoos and tiger reserves in the state till May at Gorakhpur Zoo said that after Shakti's death, two more animals, a female leopard, Mona, and a female wolf, Bhairavi, have died. They said that their viscera had been sent for testing and the reports are of Gorakhpur Zoo, Vikas Yadav, said: "All the remaining animals are healthy. Gorakhpur Zoo has 322 animals, including 150 birds, which are at a high risk of infection compared to the rest of the inmates. They are under strict monitoring."To be on the safer side, the zoo administration is randomly collecting samples of animals which will be sent for further analysis," he said the tigress that died of bird flu was not being fed poultry. Gorakhpur Zoo administration is also trying to find out the exact cause for the outbreak of bird flu, which is chief conservator of forests (PCCF-Wildlife) Anuradha Vemuri said that necessary precautions were being taken at all the places. "Bird sanctuaries may not be at risk as the season for the movement of migratory birds ended in March. The population at tiger reserves is also safe because they are wild and are not being fed anything from outside," she zoos and Etawah Lion Safari have changed the diet of animals. Buffalo meat and mutton have replaced poultry completely as food at all Zoo director Aditi Sharma said that no symptoms of bird flu were reported from any animal and the closure of the zoo was only a precautionary measure."On regular days, we clean the zoo in the morning and evening. Closure will allow us more intense and deep cleaning," she Lion Safari director Anil Patel has also ruled out any symptom of the disease and said that necessary precautions were being taken.


Indian Express
14-05-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
All zoos in UP shut for a week, surveillance stepped up in poultry farms
THE UTTAR Pradesh government has ordered till May 20 the closure of zoos in Lucknow and Kanpur and Gorakhpur, as well as the Lion Safari in Etawah,after the detection of bird flu in a tigress that died at the Shaheed Ashfaqullah Khan Zoo in Gorakhpur, officials said on Wednesday. Thus, all zoological parks in the state would remain shut for a week, they added. The Central Zoo Authority has deployed a five-member team of veterinary doctors and pathologists from leading wildlife institutions, the state government said on Wednesday. A government official said the team would soon visit the Gorakhpur zoo to conduct a thorough medical examination of the animals for any signs of bird flu. Taking serious note of the potential threat of H5 Avian Influenza (bird flu), Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath earlier directed officials to maintain strict vigilance across all zoos in the state. Chairing a high-level meeting on Monday, Adityanath emphasised that the safety of animals and birds in zoos, bird sanctuaries, national parks, wetlands and cow shelters must be the highest priority. He instructed officials to take all necessary preventive steps, strictly following the guidelines issued by both the central and state governments to prevent the possible spread of the infection. The team is expected to submit a report within 15 days, based on which further decisions regarding animal care will be taken. The team includes representatives from the Ministry of Animal Husbandry and Dairy, Wildlife Health Management Department, Wildlife Institute of India (Dehradun), ICAR Bareilly and Bhopal, and pathologists, the government said in a statement issued on Wednesday. Several other precautionary measures have been taken after the tigress's death earlier this month at the Gorakhpur zoo. The test reports of two other animals — a wolf and a leopard — that also died this month are awaited. The animals housed there are ubder continuous surveillance, officials said. The sample of the tigress was tested at the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Sources said the decision to close three zoological parks and the Etawah Lion Safari from May 13 to May 20 was taken after receiving the laboratory report from Bhopal. 'As a precautionary measure, we have decided to close the three zoos and the Lion Safari has also been closed for a week,' said Anuradha Vemuri, principal chief conservator of forest-Wildlife (PCCF-Wildlife). The three zoos are Shaheed Ashfaqullah Khan Zoological Park in Gorakhpur, Nawab Wajid Ali Shah Zoological Garden in Lucknow and Kanpur Zoological Park. According to sources, this month, three animals — a leopard, a tiger, and a tigress — died at Gorakhpur zoo. The wolf died on May 4 and the tigress and leopard on May 7 and 8 respectively, said Divisional Forest Officer, Gorakhpur, Vikas Yadav. The samples of the three animals were sent for testing last month. The report on the tigress was received recently. 'A strain of bird flu was detected, but it is yet to be confirmed whether that was the actual cause of death,' the official added. During the closure period, all guidelines issued by the Animal Husbandry Department and the Central Zoo Authority, Government of India, will be strictly followed. All animals will be kept under continuous veterinary surveillance. If any symptoms related to the infection are observed, proper treatment and necessary measures will be taken. As part of the preventive strategy, orders have been issued for regular sanitisation of zoo premises and the use of blow torches wherever necessary. During the meeting on Monday, the Chief Minister also stressed the importance of mandatory health screenings for all wild animals and birds, along with strict checks on their food to prevent contamination. He directed that all zoo staff should be sensitised about avian influenza and provided essential safety equipment. Staff duties inside animal enclosures should be assigned based on the level of risk involved, he added. Directions were also issued for strict monitoring of all poultry farms in line with safety protocols and tighter control over the movement of poultry products. Additionally, he directed the Health Department to evaluate the potential impact of H5 Avian Influenza on humans to help prevent any risk of transmission to the public. The Chief Minister said authorities should stay in regular contact with institutions such as the Central Zoo Authority (New Delhi), National Centre for Disease Control, Ministry of Health, Department of Fisheries and Dairy and the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar (Bareilly) to seek advice and implement necessary actions accordingly. PCCF (Wildlife) Anuradha Vemuri also said in a statement that a special monitoring system and stringent health safety protocols are being enforced across all zoos in the state. All Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) have been directed to conduct regular health checkups for animals and to report any signs of irregularities. Moreover, wild animals are now being fed only after routine health assessments to ensure their well-being.' Zoo employees have been instructed to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) kits and adhere to strict personal hygiene protocols. Regular sanitisation is being done at all zoos to prevent the potential spread of the virus. The Wildlife Department is in constant communication with the Central Zoo Authority, ensuring that all health safety guidelines are implemented, officials said.


Mint
14-05-2025
- Health
- Mint
Bird Flu Scare: UP govt closes Etawah Lion Safari, zoos in Lucknow, Kanpur and Gorakhpur
The Uttar Pradesh (UP) government on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, issued an order to shut down the Etawah Lion Safari and Zoos in Lucknow, Kanpur, and Gorakhpur after finding confirmation about a bird flu outbreak, reported the news agency ANI. The bird flu was confirmed after the disease killed a tigress at Gorakhpur's Shaheed Ashfaqulla Khan Zoological Park, according to the news report. UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed the official decision, which was issued by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Anuradha Vemuri, according to a press statement cited in the agency report. During the week-long shutdown, Etawah Lion Safari and Zoos will closely monitor all wild animals and make the necessary medical arrangements based on the symptoms witnessed, according to the agency report. The UP government has also issued special directives which mandate the prompt reporting of unusual animal or bird deaths, especially if they are linked to bird flu, to ensure swift action. On May 13, CM Yogi Adityanath conducted a meeting with his senior officials to discuss and review the State's response plan for alerts on the H5 Avian Influenza virus. The H5 Avian Influenza virus is a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus that affects birds, particularly poultry such as chickens, ducks, and turkeys. Yogi Adityanath also met with the state's departmental ministers and officials to review the presentation of PWD, according to the agency report. Earlier this week, on Monday, CM Yogi Adityanath introduced a new scheme to promote eco-friendly industrial units to establish Uttar Pradesh as an 'Advanced and Industrial State.' The Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) has launched its initiative to facilitate the establishment of industrial units in the authorised areas of Gautam Buddh Nagar and Bulandshahr districts, according to the news agency's report, citing the official release.


Time of India
14-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Uttar Pradesh: CM Yogi chairs meeting with senior officials on H5 Avian Influenza virus
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting with senior officials to review the state's preparedness and response plan following alerts over the H5 Avian Influenza virus. H5 Avian Influenza, commonly known as bird flu, is a highly contagious viral disease that affects birds, particularly poultry such as chickens, ducks, and turkeys. It is caused by influenza A viruses, and the "H5" refers to one of the subtypes of these viruses, specifically, H5N1, which is among the most well-known and dangerous forms. Later in the day, Chief Minister Adityanath also held a meeting with departmental ministers and officials regarding the presentation of the PWD. Earlier on Monday, in a significant step towards establishing Uttar Pradesh as an 'Advanced and Industrial State' and achieving the goal of a 'One Trillion Dollar Economy,' CM Yogi Adityanath-led government introduced a new scheme to promote eco-friendly industrial units. According to a press release, the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) has launched this initiative to facilitate the establishment of industrial units in the authorised areas of Gautam Buddh Nagar and Bulandshahr districts. Under the new scheme, 55 industrial plots in Sectors 29, 32, and 33 will be allocated. As stated in the release, this move is expected to accelerate the development of the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Area (Phase-1) and expedite the implementation of the Master Plan-2041. The scheme specifically targets non-polluting industries, enabling the establishment of toy, apparel, and furniture parks, units under the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative, and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Over 240 types of non-polluting industries are eligible to set up units under this scheme. The scheme's application process has begun and will continue until May 29. Of the 55 plots, 50 are up to 8,000 square meters, starting from 300 square meters. Larger plots are designated for toy parks, apparel parks, and general industrial use. The largest plot, located in Sector 32 (Plot No. 68A), measures 17,020 square meters. The reserved price for the plots starts at Rs 64.16 lakh, with the premium for the largest plot set at Rs 22.91 crore. The scheme will allocate plots for various categories, including apparel and toy parks, handicrafts, ODOP units, furniture manufacturing parks, MSMEs, and general industrial use. Industries under the general category, such as pulse mills, X-ray machine manufacturing, and telecommunication equipment production, will also be eligible.


Time of India
14-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
UP: Govt closes Etawah lion safari, zoos in Lucknow, Kanpur, Gorakhpur following bird flu outbreak
The Uttar Pradesh government has ordered a week-long shutdown of the Etawah Lion Safari and zoos in Lucknow, Kanpur, and Gorakhpur following confirmation of bird flu in a deceased tigress at Gorakhpur's Shaheed Ashfaqulla Khan Zoological Park . According to a press statement, the decision was taken on the instructions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath , following which the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Anuradha Vemuri, issued official orders. During this period, the zoo will closely monitor all wild animals and make medical arrangements based on their symptoms. Special directives have been issued to promptly report unusual animal or bird deaths, particularly those potentially linked to bird flu, ensuring swift action around the zoo. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like He is in so much pain due to liver disease, please help! Donate For Health Donate Now Undo On Tuesday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath chaired a high-level meeting with senior officials to review the state's preparedness and response plan following alerts over the H5 Avian Influenza virus. H5 Avian Influenza, commonly known as bird flu, is a highly contagious viral disease that affects birds, particularly poultry such as chickens, ducks, and turkeys. Live Events It is caused by influenza A viruses, and the "H5" refers to one of the subtypes of these viruses, specifically, H5N1, which is among the most well-known and dangerous forms. Later in the day, Chief Minister Adityanath also met with departmental ministers and officials regarding the presentation of the PWD. Earlier on Monday, in a significant step towards establishing Uttar Pradesh as an 'Advanced and Industrial State' and achieving the goal of a 'One Trillion Dollar Economy,' the CM Yogi Adityanath-led government introduced a new scheme to promote eco-friendly industrial units. According to a press release, the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) has launched this initiative to facilitate the establishment of industrial units in the authorised areas of Gautam Buddh Nagar and Bulandshahr districts.