Patna, February 28 The authorities of the Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park, popularly known as Patna Zoo, in the Bihar capital, have decided to close the facility to visitors from Saturday, March 7, following confirmation of avian influenza (H5N1) in poultry samples collected from a research centre in a nearby area.
According to a statement issued by the office of the District Animal Husbandry Officer in Patna on Friday, samples taken from chickens at the Poultry Research and Training Centre at Bihar Veterinary College tested positive for avian influenza (H5N1).
"Since the Patna Zoo falls within a one-kilometre radius of the centre where H5N1 was detected, the zoo has been ordered to close to the public until March 7 as a precautionary measure," the zoo director said in a statement.
The measure has been taken in accordance with the Centre's Action Plan for Prevention, Control and Containment of Avian Influenza, the statement said.
Officials stated that the zoo is implementing all preventive and disinfection measures within its premises, in accordance with the Centre's action plan to safeguard both wildlife and zoo staff.