Four Mithuns die of viral infection in city zoo

Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 5 (UNI) A portion of the city zoo, one of the oldest and best in the country, was made out of bounds for visitors today following the death of four Mithuns due to a viral disease, suspected to be foot and mouth disease (FMD) within a span of three days.

''We have sanitised 150 sq m area in the zoo housing the remaining three Mithuns which are also infected,'' Zoo Superintendent S Abu told UNI here.

The Zoo authorities have taken effective steps to ensure that the disease did not spread to other animals and domestic animals outside the zoo, which is located in the heart of the city.

Samples from the body of the dead animals had been taken and sent for tests to the Chief Disease Investigating Office, Palode, and the result was expected shortly, he said.

''We cannot confirm FMD before getting the report, but it is a clear case of viral infection,'' he added.

''Though the disease is not transmissible to humans, we are taking several precautionary steps. Animal keepers have been posted exclusively for the particular enclosure and they will be disinfected before going out,'' he added.

He said a couple of black bucks had also died during the past three days, but the deaths were not due to viral infection.

Meanwhile, intensive cleaning and disinfecting activities were being carried out in the zoo. Steps were also being taken to shift other animals in the neighbouring cages to other enclosures to prevent an outbreak. Senior officials were camping in the zoo to monitor the situation.

UNI