Veterinarians investigating the recent death of over 1,000 pigeons at the Kamakhya temple complex in Assam have found that consumption of bleaching powder in high doses might have caused the death of the birds. There were fears earlier that the pigeons could have died from the avian flu.A team of vets from the State Veterinary Department, which conducted a study into the ‘mystery’ deaths, found a high concentration of bleaching powder in the water in the temple complex. It was found that bleaching powder was sprayed during a clean-up operation last week.‘‘As many as 60 infected birds on examination showed symptoms of a twisted neck, known as the star-gazing syndrome, caused due to dehydration, low body weight and anorexia leading to diarrhoea,’’ Dr Suresh Chandra Handique, Deputy Director, Veterinary Department, said in his report.‘‘The team also confirmed the mystery deaths are not related to the bird flu, but a final report is awaited,’’ A.K. Absar Hazarika, Deputy Commissioner, Kamrup (Metropolitan) district, said. Infected birds, meanwhile, have been treated to oral and parenteral administration of Vitamin B complex and electrolyte solutions, and over 90 per cent birds have responded positively, Dr Handique said.Temple trust officials are yet to be convinced that the death of the pigeons is nothing to be worried over.‘‘We are still awaiting a final report from the Veterinary Department, which has collected samples of the dead birds as well as some others which have fallen ill,’’ said Riju Prasad Sharma, secretary of the Kamakhya Trust Board that looks after temple management.
