Delhi zoo bird flu-free, but reopening likely only after October 30

Over a month after a bird flu outbreak forced its closure , the National Zoological Park (NZP) in Delhi is likely to reopen after October 30, with all recent tests for avian influenza returning negative.

Delhi zoo director Dr Sanjeet Kumar said that while no active presence of the virus has been detected, the management will conduct two additional rounds of sampling at an interval of 15 days before taking a final call on reopening.

“As part of ongoing surveillance, two additional rounds of sampling will be conducted at an interval of 15 days to ensure continued safety and disease-free status. Based on the results of these surveillance samples for Avian Influenza (H5N8), a decision will be taken to reopen the Zoo for visitors after October 30,” the National Zoological Park said in it