Bird Flu Scare In UP: Gorakhpur Tigress's Death Due To H5N1 Triggers Statewide Zoo Shutdown

Statewide Zoo Shutdown After Gorakhpur Case

On May 14, 2025, Uttar Pradesh’s Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Anuradha Vemuri, ordered the week-long closure of Lucknow Zoo, Kanpur Zoo, the Etawah Lion Safari, and Gorakhpur Zoo. This followed a gathering chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

The shutdown, effectual until May 20, aims to forestall the virus’s dispersed among zoo animals and humans. Though the microorganism chiefly affects birds, it tin seldom dispersed to mammals done adjacent interaction oregon biology exposure.

‘Top Priority’: CM Adityanath Orders Coordinated Response

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has emphasised the request for urgent and coordinated action. “The information of animals and birds successful zoos, vertebrate sanctuaries, wetlands, cattle shelters, and nationalist parks indispensable beryllium the topmost priority," helium said. He instructed officials to enactment promptly, pursuing some cardinal and authorities advisories. Key measures see regular sanitisation of zoo premises, predominant wellness checkups for animals, and investigating nutrient and h2o sources.

Protective Measures and Surveillance connected the Ground

Officials said zoo unit indispensable deterioration protective cogwheel – masks, gloves, and PPE kits – portion handling animals. Infection power protocols are successful place, and veterinary teams are monitoring carnal enclosures for flu symptoms.

Forest Minister Arun Kumar Saxena confirmed vertebrate flu successful the dormant tigress and said surveillance has been accrued successful zoos and poultry farms statewide. “Lab reports confirmed vertebrate flu successful the tigress. As a result, surveillance has been intensified successful zoos and poultry farms. Staff indispensable travel strict biosecurity protocols," Saxena stated.

Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra and Meerut connected High Alert

Following the Gorakhpur confirmation, Agra, Kanpur, Lucknow, and Meerut are connected precocious alert. The Animal Husbandry Department activated veterinary teams and issued advisories to zoo unit and vertebrate sanctuaries. “Any reports of wide vertebrate deaths are to beryllium reported immediately, and sampling of dormant birds has begun. These samples are being sent to the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) successful Bhopal for analysis," officials said.

In Meerut, a power country has been acceptable up with exigency interaction numbers made public. “No vertebrate flu cases person been reported successful Meerut, but each preventive measures are successful place," said CVO Dr Sandeep Sharma.

No Case successful Lucknow Yet, But Zoo Shut As Precaution

No vertebrate flu lawsuit has been reported astatine the Nawab Wajid Ali Shah Zoological Garden successful Lucknow. However, Director Aditi Singh clarified that the zoo was closed arsenic a preventive measure. “All animals are nether adjacent observation. A determination connected reopening volition beryllium made aft assessing the situation," she said.

Bird Flu: A Looming Threat Across India?

The H5N1 virus, besides known arsenic vertebrate flu, is simply a contagious viral illness that chiefly affects birds but tin occasionally infect mammals, including humans. It spreads done interaction with infected birds, droppings, oregon contaminated surfaces.

Uttar Pradesh is not the lone authorities responding to this threat. Madhya Pradesh has issued precautionary advisories aft chaotic vertebrate deaths successful Seoni and Balaghat districts, though nary confirmed H5N1 cases person been found. Similarly, Odisha’s Chilika Lake portion is monitoring amid fears of the microorganism arriving via migratory birds.

In Uttar Pradesh, the authorities is besides monitoring poultry farms and chickenhearted markets. The Municipal Corporation’s Animal Welfare Department supervises each points of vertebrate movement, including poultry shops. “Bird flu tin besides dispersed from migratory birds, truthful section surveillance is essential," said Dr. Ajay Kumar, municipal veterinary serviceman successful Kanpur.

Control Room and Emergency Instructions

Amid escalating fears, the Animal Husbandry Department successful UP has opened exigency power rooms successful affected districts. Public consciousness campaigns are encouraging punctual reporting of sick oregon dormant birds. Guidelines for poultry workplace registration person been introduced to way illness question and support transparency.

A vertebrate flu advisory is expected soon via video conferencing with district-level carnal wellness officers. Public gatherings successful vertebrate sanctuaries are restricted, and handling of dormant birds is done lone by trained unit successful protective gear.

Officials said the adjacent fewer days volition beryllium important successful determining the standard and containment of the outbreak.