UP Govt sounds bird flu alert

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday ordered enhanced security across all zoos, bird sanctuaries, national parks, wetlands and cow shelters amid concerns over the potential threat of H5 avian influenza (bird flu).

He said the safety of protected animals and birds was the state government’s top priority, and negligence at any level would not be tolerated.

The food should be given only after thorough diet inspections, and staff duties in enclosures must be assigned based on risk levels to ensure full safety compliance.

Yogi directed all zoo staff be trained on avian influenza symptoms, transmission and prevention, and equipped with PPE kits and safety gear to ensure both effective duty performance and personal protection. He also called for strict monitoring of all poultry farms in UP as per standards, with tight control over the movement of poultry products.

Furthermore, CM Yogi directed the Health Department to study the potential impact of H5 avian influenza on humans and submit a detailed report to prevent any chain of infection from reaching the population.

The Centre last month told Parliament that India had experienced 41 outbreaks of bird flu, mainly in 10 states this year. The Minister revealed that bird flu outbreaks in domestic poultry had been reported from Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Odisha.