Pakistan : Bird flu claims 15 peacocks

Via The Nation :

" Around 15 peacocks have been expired at the Safari Park during the last seven days due to bird flu virus, authorities said on Tuesday.

The price of single peacock starts from Rs 6,000 and goes up to Rs 20,000. Safari Park, also called Woodland Wildlife Park, is located on Raiwind Road. A couple of peacocks died on Tuesday while the Safari Park Director Yousuf Paul disclosed that total 15 peacocks had been died till filing of this report. He said the disease was a common among birds but this time it was diagnosed among hens and chickens of poultry forms located in surrounding areas of the Safari Park. He said the workers in poultry farms were unaware about the consequences of the dangers of H5N1 virus. Mr Yousuf further said necessary measures were being taken to ensure safety of the workers associated to the Park.

Meanwhile, Jinnah Hospital Chief Executive and Principal Allama Iqbal Medical College Dr Javed Akram said the H5N1 bird flu virus is found in small flocks of chickens and peacocks and other birds in Pakistan. He said it travels by the transportation of birds and the eggs in dirty vehicles were a grave threat of spreading poultry diseases, including H5N1 bird flu."