Chhattisgarh zoo closed after suspected anthrax case

Raipur, June 20 (UNI) A zoo in Chhattisgarh has been closed for a fortnight following the death of a hyena rpt hyena due to suspected anthrax infection, a forest official said today.

Divisional Forest Officer Sunil Mishra told UNI that the case came to light after the death at Nandanvan Zoo on the state capital's outskirts. ''There are symptoms of anthrax but the disease is yet to be confirmed,'' he added.

Steps have been taken to maintain cleanliness at the zoo and all animals there were being given antibiotic doses. Employees and others in contact with the zoo are being administered a five-day vaccination course.

Quoting medical experts, Mr Mishra said that there was no threat to humans. Blood samples of cattle from nearby places were being collected for analysis. ''We have advised vaccination of cattle in a radius of five km,'' he said, adding that the local administration, Health and Animal Husbandry departments were alerted.

Experts trained at the Wildlife Institute of India at Dehradun, were available within the state but the latter would seek the services of other experts, if necessary.

UNI