In response to the question regarding the measures taken by the Government to monitor and manage the health of captive animals in zoos following the detection of H5N1 avian influenza in wildlife at the Nagpur rescue center, the written reply stated the measures taken by the Central Government:

1. 1. 1. 1. Central Zoo Authority (CZA), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has issued circular to all Zoos regarding their preparedness to prevent ingress of Avian Influenza and  advised zoos to comply with the National Action Plan on “Prevention, Control and Containment of Avian Influenza”.
         2. CZA advisedthe Zoos to consult Centre for Wildlife, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly for technical advise on Wildlife management, disease control and diagnosis.
         3. Department of Animal Husbandry& Dairying (DAHD), GoI has issued an advisory to the state for isolation of animals showing any clinical signs, closure of the establishment to the public including isolation and restriction of movement of zoo workers and use of Personal protective equipment (PPE), isolation of animal handlers, strengthening of biosecurity measures.
         4. States have been requested for surveillance of Tigers, Leopards and other wild animals and birds present in the Zoo and reporting of unusual mortality
         5. The State has been requested to follow the DAHD National Action Plan for Prevention Control and Containment of Avian Influenza 2021 especially Chapter 6 which has action points to deal with outbreaks of avian influenza in Zoos.
         6. The National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT) involving members from NCDC, ICMR, Wildlife and DAHD was alsodeputed to conduct thejoint investigation and suggestion for future preparedness.
         7. Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, GoIconducted a review meeting on 7.1.2025 of all the stakeholders like Department of Animal Husbandry, Government of Maharashtra, Central Zoo Authority, Wildlife Division-MOEFCC, Indian Council of Medical research, National Centre for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, officials of Gorewada Zoo and ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD)- Bhopal and advised all stakeholders to work in close collaboration following One Health Approach.
         8. A separate team from ICAR-NIHSAD, Bhopal and WRDDL Pune also conducted epidemiological investigations in and around the rescue centre and Chandrapur Forest area.
         9. 68 samples from the wild animals housed in the rescued centre of Gorewada Zoo were screened and they are tested negative by ICAR-NIHSAD, Bhopal as on 10.1.2025.

In response to the question, whether there are any cases of avian flu in other wildlife sanctuaries, rescue centers, or zoos in the country, the written reply stated that no such report is received from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change informed that the management of recognised Zoos were advised to allot required resources or teams as per the National Action Plan on “Prevention, Control and Containment of Avian Influenza” and its addendum specific to Zoos for early detection and containment of Avian Influenza.

This information was given by the Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, in a written reply in Lok Sabha

today.

*****

AA

(Release ID: 2101846) Visitor Counter : 355