Chennai: Crows have been dropping dead at a corporation-run park in Indira Nagar, Adyar, nearly seven months after a similar episode in the area was confirmed as bird flu. Veterinary officials with Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) are yet to collect samples or determine the cause of the latest deaths.Park patrons said birds have been dying here over the past 10 days, showing signs of fatigue before collapsing — symptoms similar to those observed during the earlier outbreak. On Saturday, a pigeon also died under similar circumstances. A local resident, C Namachivayam, said, “Park staff buried a few carcasses. I alerted the corporation’s sanitary inspector last week.”In Jan, crow deaths were reported in and around Indira Nagar. As cases spread to Neelankarai and Velachery, samples were sent to the ICAR–National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases in Bhopal, and the presence of H5N1 avian influenza strain was confirmed. Sanitary inspector Mohana Priya said the current pattern differed from the earlier episode, when 10 to 12 birds died in a day. “We have disposed of about four birds since Saturday and informed the zonal veterinary officer,” she said. “I am not aware if the health department has inspected any carcasses. Residents need not worry,” she said, adding that no other areas in the zone reported similar deaths.The Adyar veterinary officer did not respond to requests for comment. GCC chief veterinary officer J Kamal Hussain said the matter would be examined. “We will collect samples and send them to laboratories. But it is too early to conclude that this is bird flu. Multiple causes, including possible water contamination, will be explored,” he said.
