Bird flu scare in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur after dozen crows found dead

Jitendra K Shrivastava
Tribune News Service
Patna, December 6

Amid a bird flu scare after the death of a few birds in some localities of Bihar, a dozen crows were allegedly said to have died of avian influenza viruses in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur district on Sunday.

After some crows were found dead in Sakra locality of Muzaffarpur, Chandanpatti villagers are scared of bird flu as such cases had reportedly been found in several parts of the state, including the Patna zoo.

The Patna zoo was yet to be opened for visitors as it had been closed on December 25 after seven peacocks had mysteriously died.

Before Patna zoo, some poultry birds had died in a number of districts of Bihar in early December.

“Prima facie, it does not appear to be the case of bird flu as it is the matter of medical examination. Viceras would be sent for laboratory test so that it could be confirmed how these birds died,” said Manoj Kumar,  Muzaffarpur district animal husbandry officer, adding that he had asked the villagers to take precautions and bury their bodies.