Delhi Zoo’s birds tested positive of avian influenza virus (Bird Flu).

After a dead fish owl found positive of bird flu, samples from 4 different areas were sent and were later found positive.

Samples of bird’s waste products have been found at Delhi Zoo positive of the influenza virus that leads to bird flu, director Ramesh Pandey said on Tuesday. Authorities collected seven samples from four different locations at the zoo, which were sent to the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) on February 3, Pandey said.

"Samples were found to be infected with the avian influenza virus. All safety measures are in place now and birds are strictly monitored and regular monitoring is assigned to staff members and a group of veterinarians," he added. "Captive birds and free-flying birds behaviour is normal up until according to reports, and all antivirus-related preventive measures and prophylactic drills are in place and are taken regularly," Pandey said.

Earlier, six NIHSAD samples were sent to NIHSAD on January 19, which were found to be negative. However, about January 16, samples taken from the dead brown fish owl that had been living at the zoo had been tested positive. Pandey said monitoring would continue at the zoo and more samples would be sent. The zoo has been closed to the public since the Covid-19 pandemic hit the world.

"We were using the ebird mobile system to keep track of the birds in the zoo," Pandey said earlier. This is the first time that the application has been used to monitor birds and keep records during a bird flu outbreak.