Bird flu alert at Dhaka Zoo

The authorities put up a big banner on the zoo wall requesting visitors to take footbath, top, a worker waits with disinfectant for footbath at the zoo gate where a banner hung overhead warning visitors to be careful and keep away from inmates.Photo: STAR

Dhaka Zoo authorities have announced red alert inside the facility in an effort to control any possible bird flu infestation among its precious bird collection.
Deputy Curator of the zoo Dr AKM Nazrul Islam told Star City that the zoo authorities are taking special measures to prevent spreading avian flu inside the zoo. Weekly holiday of the zoo staff has been cancelled as long as the threat remains.
"Bio-security measures have been beefed up. Birdcages are being sprayed with disinfectant twice a day. Spraying is being done in the entire zoo," he said.
"A footbath has been set up at the zoo entrance containing antiseptic. Every visitor has to step in it before entering," he added.
The entry and exit points are also being sprayed with disinfectants for safety of visitors. Five spraying machines have recently been procured to strengthen the capacity.
Although Dhaka Zoo lake is almost devoid of any migratory birds this year, disinfectants are being sprayed around the lake as well, the official said.
The zoo currently has a total number of 1,220 birds of around 58 species in its collection. These include ostrich from South Africa, Australian emu, pelican, hornbill, variety of parokeet, heron, gorgeous Indian peafowl and cassowary.
Bird flu has been detected in three poultry farms in Mirpur, where the zoo is situated. Around 19,000 fowls were culled in December at another farm near the zoo.
Special cautionary notices were posted in front of the birdcages warning the visitors of maintaining safe distance from the bird sheds.
Previously most of the cages of the flightless birds did not have any roof, which is now covered with a temporary polythene sheet so that other birds or their droppings cannot enter the cage.
Besides, an additional protective bamboo fence has been made around the birdcages to keep visitors at a safe distance.
Visitors have been asked not to bring food inside which might attract outside birds. This instruction was however being violated by careless visitors.
Around 10, 000 people visit the zoo every day. The number increases during holidays and weekends. Monitoring of the entire flock is almost impossible, say zoo officials.
Special nutrient has been added with the bird feed. "Electrolyte, vitamins and minerals have been increased in the bird feed to strengthen their immune system," said Animal Nutrition Officer of the zoo, Md Shafiqur Rahman.
Last month the lone rhea of the zoo, a rare species of flightless ratite bird native to South America, died raising an alarm of bird flu as the bird was discharging nasal fluids.
It was later cleared by the Central Disease Investigation Laboratory (CDIL) and Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) that the bird in fact died of enteritis, a cold related disease. The eight and a half year-old rhea was brought from Thailand.