32 birds die at Safari Park

LAHORE

A sudden outbreak of Newcastle disease, commonly known as Rani Khait, has caused deaths of over 20 pheasants and around a dozen peacocks in the aviary of Safari Zoo Park during the last one week.

Following the death scale, the Punjab Wildlife and Parks Department has issued an emergency letter to the in-charges of all the zoos, wildlife parks and safari zoo parks across the province for taking immediate precautionary measures to save the bird species, especially pheasants and peacocks.

Rani Khait is caused by a virus and its first widespread outbreak occurred in the United States in southern California in 1972 when infected birds in an exotic aviary spread infection to chickens on neighbouring farms as a result millions of chickens died.

Director Lahore Zoo Safari Park Syed Zafarul Hassan said the disease had first hit the poultry farms operating near the safari park and from there it has been transmitted to the park. He said this virus spreads rapidly because it is highly contagious. He maintained that this virus spreads in droppings and nasal discharge via direct contact through air, or on contaminated items such as bottoms of shoes, food, or infected dishes and cages.

Talking about the precautionary measures, Zafar said all possible measures had been taken and regular medication of the birds was going on regularly but still the virus attacked.

He said this shows the intensity of the virus, which has spread in surrounding poultry farms. He said virus spread because of the sudden change in weather conditions.

Dr Akif Hussain, a veterinary expert, said general signs to identify the infected birds include ocular or nasal discharge, dyspnea and bloody diarrhea.

Central nervous system signs can also occur including depression or the opposite-hyperexcitability, balance problems, tremors, especially of the head and neck, weakness and partial or total paralysis. He said signs vary depending on the strain of virus and the species of bird.

He further said there is no treatment or vaccine of this disease, however injections of hyper-immune serum can be used to protect the exposed birds before they become symptomatic. When birds begin showing symptoms, this is ineffective, he said adding unfortunately, the prognosis for this disease is poor, with nearly a 100 percent mortality rate, once infected.

On the other hand, Director General Wildlife and Parks Khalid Ayaz has directed in-charges of zoos, wildlife parks and safari zoo parks of the province to ensure medical examination and vaccination of animals and birds in their respective parks and take all the precautionary measures for their protection.

He said birds and animals are suffering from ND Virus due to cold in night and severe heat in day and confirmed that 30 birds died due to ND Virus in the aviary of birds in Safari Zoo Park. He said notification issued for protection of ND Virus has been sent through fax, e-mail and watsapp to all the in-charges concerned on emergent basis and its receipt has been confirmed.

Khalid Ayaz has also constituted a four-member inquiry committee regarding the deaths of birds in Safari Zoo Park. Director Lahore Zoo Shafqat Ali will be the chairman of this committee while Prof Dr Asim Haider of University of Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Officer Lahore Zoo Dr Babar Saleem and Veterinary Officer Jallo Wildlife Park Dr Muhammad Rizwan will be its members. The committee will make its report within three days and submit it to the DG Wildlife.

Director Lahore Zoo Shafqat Ali, talking with The News, said special measures have been taken at the Lahore Zoo to prevent any possible outbreak of this disease among birds. He said preventive medication of birds have also been started at the zoo. He said preventive measures should include restriction of movement of people and allowing only essential workers to enter  the poultry farm where diseases have spread. “Provision of clean clothing and cleansing facilities for employees, clean and disinfect vehicles (including tires and undercarriages) entering and leaving the farm/area, avoiding visiting other poultry operations or aviaries, controlled movement of birds, protect birds from wild birds, maintaining strict controls over the disposal and handling of bird carcasses, litter and manure and bring diseased birds to an approved laboratory for examination are the main precautions,” he said.

On the other hand, entry of general public has not so far been restricted to aviary in Safari Zoo Park. Director Zafarul Hassan said shutting down aviary may cause panic among citizens. He, however, admitted that the virus can transfer to domestic and pet birds through visitors.