Strains of bird flu in Chandigarh lake sparks scare in Gurgaon

However, authorities are yet to issue an advisory regarding the flu. Samples from birds have been collected to test for a possibility of spread of H5N1 virus among migratory birds. The veterinary department has already collected excreta samples and testing is on. Blood samples will be sent to the regional diagnostic lab in Jalandhar.

According to bird sanctuary officials, employees have been directed to keep a close eye on birds — especially the species that were found dead at Sukhna Lake — to monitor their physical activities. The Forest department has installed four CCTV cameras at Sultanpur Lake to monitor the movement of these migratory birds.

According to Forest department officials, round 35,000 migratory birds of 35 species are currently residing in the Sultanpur bird sanctuary. While some are resident species, others come from distant regions such as Siberia, Europe and Afghanistan.

“The wildlife department has hired specialists to collect blood samples of migratory birds and test them for symptoms of bird flu. The process will start on Thursday. Collecting blood samples of all the birds generally takes about 4-5 days,” Kulwinder Singh, district wildlife officer, Gurgaon, said. He also told Newsline that the practice of collecting bird droppings was started in 2011 after a similar bird flu scare gripped the area.

“So far, no symptoms have been found in migratory birds in the sanctuary. Result of the beat samples are awaited,” Singh said. These migratory birds, until the end of winter, flock to the corridors of Sultanpur and Najafgarh in Delhi.

If sources are to be believed, of the 20 geese that were found dead at Sukhna Lake, one tested positive for H5N1. After that, around 95 were culled by the Chandigarh administration as a precautionary measure.