Initial report on dead birds negative for avian flu in Thane, Mumbai; government sure poultry not infected

THANE/MUMBAI: The preliminary test done on the dead birds that were found in Thane and Mumbai on Wednesday returned a negative result for bird flu.
The animal husbandry department is now conducting a second test for confirmation. The tests were done on 13 carcasses, of which eight were of pond herons, three of crows and two of parrots. The pond herons and parrots were found dead in Thane, while the crows were found dead in Mumbai.
Commissioner of animal husbandry department Sachindra Pratap Singh said” “The ELISA test that was done on the specimens was negative.We will now conduct RT-PCR test and only then can it be concluded if the birds had bird flu or not.” A team from the municipal veterinary department on Thursday evening came across a carcass of an egret at the same stretch near Vijay Garden where the pond herons had been found dead.
State minister for animal husbandry Sunil Kedar said people in the poultry business and people who consumed chicken or eggs should have no fear.