The state animal husbandry department collected swab samples of at least 30 birds of different species from the Birsa Munda Zoological Park in Ranchi on Thursday to test for avian influenza at the largest animal park in Jharkhand.

“We are taking all necessary precautions to prevent the entry of bird flu in the zoo. Swab samples of birds from every cage were collected today (Thursday) for tests,” said zoo director Y.K. Das.

“All bird cages are being cleaned regularly and entry of staff other than bird keepers has been restricted. We are also providing immunity-boosting medicines to the birds,” he added.

The authorities at the Ranchi zoo have also started providing immunity boosters to more than 200 birds in the zoo in response to Tuesday’s state government alert over H5N1 virus in all 24 districts after cases of bird flu were reported in parts of India.

The zoo in Ranchi also houses large birds like ostriches and emus that need special care, said Das. The zoo administration, he explained, had to not only check the entry of bird flu in the zoo but also the transmission of the virus from birds to the staff working in the zoo.

However, the fear of transmission of the virus from birds to visitors was minimum as the zoo has remained closed for visitors in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, Das said.

While no cases of bird flu have surfaced in Jharkhand so far, the animal husbandry department has sent samples of nearly 2,000 birds from different districts for tests to Calcutta, animal husbandry director Nancy Sahay said on Thursday.

Carcasses of a few crows were found in Jamshedpur on Wednesday, and their samples had also been sent for tests. “The test results are awaited,” said Sahay.

“We have sent samples of 1,977 birds for tests so far, and random testing in all the districts will continue in the days to come,” she added.

Jharkhand had reported cases of bird flu in the past two years, but the virus only infected wild birds and not the poultry sector. While poultry birds are also being tested this time, the government has not imposed any restrictions on the sale of poultry products. The animal husbandry department has also asked commoners and poultry staff to maintain distance from birds that die suddenly and spot symptoms of the virus among birds in poultry farms and shops.