4 min readMumbaiJan 6, 2025 08:34 AM IST
First published on: Jan 6, 2025 at 04:20 AM IST
Three tigers and a leopard at a Nagpur rescue centre have succumbed to avian influenza, prompting the Union government to sound an alert for zoos across the country.
This is a rare instance of the highly contagious H5N1 virus affecting rescued wildlife in India.
In an advisory, the Central Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying directed zoos to comply with the action plan on prevention, control and containment.
“It is a highly contagious viral disease with zoonotic ramifications. It is, therefore, advised that all zoos remain alert and vigilant for any symptoms among captive animals housed in zoos and incidence, if any, in nearby areas,” stated the January 3 advisory issued by the department, which comes under the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
The animals in question had been relocated to the Gorewada Rescue Centre in Nagpur from Chandrapur in December following instances of conflict with humans.
Within a week of their arrival, however, they began showing symptoms of ill-health.
Despite veterinary intervention, the animals were found dead on December 30, said officials. Nasal, pharyngeal and rectal swabs from the animals were sent the same day to the ICAR-National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases (NISHAD) in Bhopal, which confirmed the presence of the H5N1 virus on January 1.
“We came to know about the deaths in the last week of December, after which we followed the protocols and sent samples for testing. The reports showed H5N1 positive, but none of us are aware of the source of transmission,” said Shatanik Bhagwat, Divisional Manager of the Gorewada project.
In response, the Maharashtra Forest Department issued a red alert across all zoos and rescue centres in the state. Containment measures at Gorewada included thorough disinfection of enclosures using fire blowers. “An additional 26 leopards and 12 tigers at the facility have been examined and declared healthy,” Bhagwat said.
The Wildlife Research and Training Centre (WRTC) at Gorewada stated that avian influenza in wild carnivores is typically linked to the consumption of infected prey. “The virus primarily affects birds but can infect mammals, including large cats, through contact with infected birds or contaminated environments,” the WRTC report said.
The Nagpur rescue facility, which is generally closed to visitors, has temporarily suspended operations for extensive sanitisation. Staff members have undergone medical screenings and are using personal protective equipment (PPE) as precaution. Nearby areas have been advised to enforce strict biosecurity protocols and monitor wildlife closely to prevent further outbreaks.
An advisory from NISHAD emphasised preventive measures such as avoiding raw poultry or unverified meat sources for carnivores, routine health monitoring of animals and enhanced biosecurity practices like using nets to keep birds away from enclosures. Staff were also advised to wear PPE and monitor themselves for flu-like symptoms post-exposure.
Bhagwat said that screenings and daily monitoring would continue until the facility is declared safe. No additional animals have shown symptoms so far, providing a measure of relief amid the containment efforts.
“Further investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the outbreak. Teams of in-house and external veterinary pathologists are actively working to identify the cause.
Daily screenings are being conducted and will continue until the facility is declared free from the virus. So far, no other animals have been found infected with the deadly virus,” Bhagwat told The Indian Express.
The animals in question had been relocated to the Gorewada Rescue Centre in Nagpur from Chandrapur in December following instances of conflict with humans. (Representational Image/PTI) 
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