Environment Minister Constitutes Monitoring Committee to Oversee Outbreak of H5 Avian Influenza; Committee to Submit Daily Report

New Delhi: Acting swiftly on the reports of mortality among the birds in National Zoological Park, Delhi NCR and other parts of the country due to H5 Avian Influenza Virus, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Anil Madhav Dave, has directed to constitute a monitoring committee for overseeing outbreak of H5 Avian Influenza in the country. The composition of committee is as follows  :-

1.  Member Secretary Central Zoo Authority     Chairman
2.  Director National Zoological Park  Member Convenor
3.  Deputy Inspector General of Forest (WL)     Member

The committee will oversee the daily incidences of H5 Avian Influenza in National Zoological Park and other Zoos of the country and submit a daily report to the Environment Minister.

There has been no mortality among the free-ranging birds of the National   Zoological Park today. However, to control the disease following actions         are being taken :-

1. Active surveillance continues in the zoo;
2. Zoo is being screened regularly for any dead bird;
3. Bio-security measures continue;
4. Zoo remains closed for the safety of visitors and to control the disease;
5. A team of doctors from Animal Husbandry Department visited Delhi Zoo for monitoring ;
6. A team of medical doctors visited and examined exposed employees of the zoo and medication was provided.