Bird flu samples flood city lab

BHOPAL: The bird flu scare is not limited only to Madhya Pradesh or Delhi after some birds died in zoos in Delhi and Gwalior. Several states including Kerala, down south, has pressed the panic button.
While panic stricken states are sending samples for test, scientists at the High Security Animal Disease Lab (HSADL), Bhopal, are working overtime to test and report the samples that have been flooding in the recent past.
The lab, one of its only kind in Asia, has received samples for test of H5N8 virus from Delhi and various parts of the country. Besides, samples from neighbouring Bhutan have also been received.
Sources in HSADL confirmed this stating samples from Bihar, Karnataka and Kerala are on way. HSADL's facility is also being used by the SAARC countries and so far only Bhutan has sent samples for test, sources added.
Three more painted storks were culled on Monday after the outbreak of bird flu in Gwalior zoo two days ago, district collector Dr Sanjay Goel said. A team led by dean of veterinary college Mhow Dr UK Garg inspected the zoo and took the corrective measures to limit the spread of the virus. The zoo will remain closed for a month. Dr RK Rokde, director, animal husbandry told TOI, "the state is on alert. Our field staff has been collecting samples of migratory bird droppings and hundreds of samples have been sent for test ."