(IN): Kerala Zoo closed indefinitely

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Link: http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20070021488

 

*Kerala Zoo closed indefinitely*

 

Nandagopal

Saturday, August 4, 2007 (Thiruvananthapuram)

Thiruvanthapuram zoo has been closed indefinitely following foot and mouth

disease.

 

The Thiruvananthapuram Zoo was closed for two weeks in July following the

outbreak of foot and mouth disease.

 

Now, barely a week after the zoo was reopened to the public, after

assurances by the authorities that the outbreak was under control, a wild

boar has died and foot and mouth disease is suspected to be the cause.

 

Wild boars at the zoo are being observed after one of them died two days

ago.

 

Boars are considered ''amplifier hosts'' for the virus, which means the

virus, may have become even more resilient.

 

Zoo authorities are worried even though some of the animals that were

affected last month have developed a passive resistance to the disease.

 

''Chances of recurrence of foot and mouth disease to previously affected

animals is slight, but nature will decide whether in wild boar a mutant

variety develops.

 

''All the possibilities are there. If the mutation happens, it can be

dangerous,'' said C S Jayakumar, Veterinary doctor, Thiruvananthapuram Zoo.

 

Last month the zoo lost 23 animals in the outbreak including 15 black bucks

and 7 mithun.

 

And scientists here are yet to locate the origin of the outbreak.

 

''Whatever incidents happened in the last three months are being correlated

to trace the origin of the outbreak,'' said Jayakumar.

 

After the zoo reopened last week various precautions are being taken.

 

Neverthelesss the authorities are keeping their fingers crossed.

 

 

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