The Delhi zoo has been temporarily shut after death of nine birds, officials said on Wednesday. Zoo director Amitabh Agnihotri said the facility has been shut to carry out surveillance as some of these have tested positive for H5 avian influenza virus. It has been decided to close the zoo temporarily for safety of visitors and to carry out surveillance of the disease,” the director said, adding that tests were done in Jalandhar. Meanwhile, Delhi development minister Gopal Rai, who visited the zoo to take stock of the situation, said the zoo will remain closed on Thursday and vaccinations were being held for the employees. A 10-member team has also been deployed at the zoo to monitor the situation,” Rai said.

Source: Hindustan Times October 19, 2016 07:52 UTC