NAGPUR: 3 tigers and a sub-adult leopard died after contracting extremely pathogenic avian flu H5N1 virus at Gorewada Rescue Centre in Nagpur. That is the primary example when the virus has taken this kind of considerable flora and fauna toll, in particular in captivity, within the nation. A purple alert has been sounded throughout Maharashtra’s zoos, rescue and transit centres.
The animals died final week and their samples had been despatched to ICAR-Nationwide Institute of Prime Safety Animal Illnesses, Bhopal, which showed the presence of H5N1 virus, Gorewada challenge divisional supervisor SS Bhagwat informed TOI.
Bhagwat mentioned those animals had been shifted to the centre from Chandrapur after human-wildlife war circumstances in Dec. They began appearing signs of avian flu virus inside every week.
Containment protocols had been applied and enclosures housing the large cats had been disinfected and handled with fireplace blowers. An extra 26 leopards and 12 tigers were tested and declared wholesome, Bhagwat mentioned. “It stays a closed-for-visitors facility. Staff and caretakers have gone through screening and there’s no purpose for worry. Animal keepers are the use of PPE kits,” he added.
Circumstances of cross-infection of zoonotic illness amongst people stay rare. Avian influenza essentially impacts birds, however sure lines – H5N1 and H5N8 – have demonstrated the potential to contaminate mammals, together with huge cats (tigers, leopards) and others thru touch with inflamed birds or their infected setting, Flora and fauna Analysis and Coaching Centre, Gorewada, mentioned. “Avian influenza outbreaks in wild carnivores were related to intake of inflamed prey or uncooked meat,” it mentioned.
Centre’s division of animal husbandry and dairying has recommended Maharashtra leader secretary to enforce biosecurity measures to stop additional transmission of the illness.
