Dindigul (Tamil Nadu), February 10 Residents of Vedasandur in the district expressed concerns over the reported deaths of crows in recent days, sources said.
However, a health official on Tuesday said that the number of deaths was not as high as reported in the media, and that there was no cause for concern regarding bird flu.
While there have been a few deaths of crows in recent times, on February 8 alone, about six to seven crows died, leading to some anxiety among the public, as it could be due to bird flu.
The Vedasandur taluk in the district is home to several old trees, including neem, tamarind, and peepal, which attract a large number of birds such as mynas, crows, and cuckoos, officials said.
"We have confirmed the deaths of a few crows. But the number is not as high as reported in some media reports, which mentioned over 100 deaths. On February 8, there were about six to seven crow deaths. We collected information about the dead crows and buried them," the official told PTI.
Responding to a query, he said, "There is no need for the public to worry about health. We have informed the veterinarians, who have collected samples from the dead crows and are investigating the cause of death."
On February 6, the Tamil Nadu government issued an alert following reports of crow deaths in various parts of the state, raising concerns about a potential outbreak of avian influenza.
The Department of Animal Husbandry has directed its officials to intensify surveillance and increase vigilance to detect any unusual sickness or mortality among crows, migratory birds, and commercial poultry.
Director of Public Health, Dr A Somasundaram, told PTI on February 6 that the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine has also issued a separate communication, appealing to the public to follow strict safety protocols.