Patna Zoo Reopens After Week-Long Closure Due to Avian Flu Threat
Patna: The Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park, commonly known as Patna zoo, will reopen to the public on Sunday, officials announced. This decision comes exactly one week after the facility was abruptly shut down as a precautionary measure following the confirmation of avian influenza, specifically the H5N1 strain, in poultry samples collected from an area near the zoo premises.
Closure Triggered by H5N1 Detection in Nearby Poultry
The closure was ordered on February 27 after the district animal husbandry officer confirmed the presence of the H5N1 avian influenza virus in poultry at the Poultry Research and Training Centre located in Kaushal Nagar, Chitkohra. This centre operates under the Bihar Animal Sciences University. Since certain sections of the biological park fall within a critical one-kilometer radius of the infection epicentre, authorities swiftly invoked the Government of India's revised 2021 action plan for the prevention, control, and containment of avian influenza. This protocol mandated the immediate shutdown of the zoo to visitors for a minimum period of one week.
Proactive Measures to Safeguard Wildlife and Public Health
The primary objective behind this decisive action was to ensure the utmost safety of the zoo's wildlife population, its dedicated staff members, and the general public. This formed a crucial component of the comprehensive outbreak response strategy, which also included the culling of affected poultry birds and the implementation of intensified surveillance measures across both the infected zone and the surrounding buffer areas.
Surveillance Results Pave Way for Reopening
In a statement issued on Saturday, zoo authorities provided a positive update. "Subsequent surveillance conducted in the infected zone over the past week yielded no further confirmations of avian influenza. This clear surveillance result paved the way for reopening," the statement clarified. An official update from the park management confirmed that the zoo will resume normal operations and welcome tourists once again starting Sunday.
Continued Vigilance and Safety Protocols
To maintain a secure environment, all precautionary measures, rigorous disinfection protocols, and the standard operating procedures (SOPs) prescribed by the government will remain strictly enforced. Zoo director Hemant Patil emphasized that visitors are strongly advised to adhere to all on-site guidelines to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. The management reiterated that these ongoing steps are designed to prioritise the health and well-being of both humans and animals, following what they described as a brief but necessary and proactive closure period.
