The popular Guindy Children’s Park in Chennai has been ordered to close its gates to the public immediately following a confirmed outbreak of Avian Influenza (H5N1), commonly known as bird flu. The decision by state authorities and the forest department was prompted by the sudden death of several birds within the park premises over the past week, leading to urgent testing that confirmed the presence of the virus.
Health officials are currently on-site to monitor the situation and implement strict bio-security protocols to prevent any potential spread to the local human population or other avian groups in the area. While the risk of human transmission is generally low, the proximity of the park to residential areas and its high daily footfall made the closure a necessary precautionary measure to ensure public safety.
For the duration of the closure, specialized teams will be conducting thorough sanitization of the enclosures and the surrounding grounds. Residents and visitors are being advised to avoid handling any sick or dead birds they may find in nearby neighborhoods and to report any such instances to the animal husbandry department as the city remains on high alert.