Delhi zoo sends out SOS after 39 spotted deer die due to rabies

Contradicting its own statistics with regard to the death of 16 spotted deer on its premises, the Delhi zoo in its letter to the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) gave a break-up of the death of 39 animals.

Mail Today had reported that over 30 spotted deer had died, mostly due to rabies, since February 14. No concrete cause of the deaths has been established so far.

Terming the situation as critical, zoo officials sought the help of NCDC in controlling the disease. A maximum of 14 deer have lost their lives in May alone. "This is an SOS situation as public health issues are involved. The measures taken to prevent the spread of the diseases have so far not been very successful. The situation cannot be controlled by the efforts and resources of the Delhi zoo alone and requires coordinated efforts by agencies under the guidance of the NCDC," Amitabh Agnihotri, director of the national zoolofical park wrote in his letter.

Zoo downplays number of dead deer in report

Mail Today had reported about a spate of deer deaths following which an inspection by a three-member team of the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) and representatives of the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) revealed the actual toll to be 33. Later, death of another six deer was confirmed taking the toll to 39.

However, the Delhi zoo spokesperson maintained that the number of deaths remains at 16 and some infant or newborn deer died during the period. They denied death toll to be more than this. But their letter to other government agencies has exposed how the zoo officials tried to downplay the number of dead animals.

Officials said the outbreak surfaced on February 14 after drain water swamped the deer enclosure. When three female spotted deer died, officials assumed they drank contaminated water. But soon other deer started falling ill, with at least one of them frothing at the mouth.

Post mortem findings also revealed severe enteritis. Sample of dead deer was sent to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) to identify the cause of death. The IVRI reported that animal died because of rabies. Samples were also sent to NCDC, which too confirmed that the animals died of rabies.

Reason for spread of rabies unknown

The cause of death is different and officials are yet to ascertain reason behind the spread of rabies virus. Zoo officials further mentioned that deaths in quick succession are unusual and rare.

"The source of infection could not be ascertained despite best efforts. The recommendations of the experts of IVRI are also being followed to check the outbreak of rabies. As the mortalities continue unabated, it is a case of concern as the pattern of mortality assuming epidemiological proportions among animals because of rabies is rather unusual and rare," he said.

The authority is also baffled by the fact that the disease is spreading among the deer which don't bite each other. Zoo authorities have started vaccinating other animals, though the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) indicates they failed to act promptly. Officials suspect the chital died of rabies triggered by mongoose bites but have found little evidence so far.

The Zoo authority raised an alarm saying as it is situated in the heart of city and is visited by 8,000 to 10,000 people daily, the unchecked spread of disease is becoming a serious public health issue.