The city’s wildlife care infrastructure has been placed on emergency footing after avian influenza was officially confirmed in the Seminary Hills area. The Transit Treatment Centre (TTC), located within the affected zone, has been put on high alert, and authorities acted swiftly. Birds undergoing treatment at the facility have been relocated to a larger, purpose-built enclosure set up at a safe distance behind the main building, with the transfer operation ongoing continuously since Tuesday morning.
Central hatchery declared affected zone
The bird flu situation in Nagpur has now reached a critical stage. Laboratory tests conducted by two of the country’s leading animal disease research institutions—ICAR’s National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases in Bhopal and the Disease Investigation Department in Pune—have confirmed the presence of the H5N1 virus in poultry samples collected from the Central Hatchery Centre at Seminary Hills.
Acting promptly on these findings, District Collector and Disaster Management Authority Chairman Dr. Vipin Itankar has officially declared the facility an affected zone. A structured containment strategy has been implemented, including a 1-kilometre infected zone surrounded by a broader 9-kilometre surveillance zone.
Both the evacuated premises and the newly established enclosure have been thoroughly disinfected. The exact number of birds currently under care remains unconfirmed.
Meanwhile, a high alert has also been issued at Maharajbagh Zoo, located in the heart of the city. According to zoo in-charge Dr. Sunil Bawaskar, the bird enclosures are positioned at a considerable distance from other animal cages, and therefore relocation has not been considered necessary at this time. However, strict emphasis is being placed on intensive disinfection of cages, enclosures, and surrounding areas. Daily cleaning and sanitization have now become routine.
As per available information, the zoo houses around 160 birds of various species. Dr. Bawaskar confirmed that no untoward incidents have occurred so far, but all staff have been instructed to follow necessary precautions.
No guidelines issued from administration
According to the TTC management, no specific guidelines regarding bird flu have been received from the administration. Nevertheless, as a precautionary measure, the TTC has independently shifted all birds under treatment, along with those ready for release, to enclosures outside the main building to minimize any risk of infection.
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