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(Chandrapur, India): Mystery continues to shroud the series of deaths of crows in Maulana Azad garden. So far no report has been received against the samples of crows forwarded to High Security Animal Disease Laboratory (HSADL), Bhopal. Perplexed Chandrapur Municipal Corporation (CMC) has extended the closure of the garden by 10 more days following suggestion of animal husbandry department.

Continuous deaths of crows in Azad garden had alarmed the CMC authorities earlier this month. Flock of crows infected by the mysterious diseases were regularly being found dead in the garden. After the authorities of district veterinary polyclinic were summoned for inspection, they had suggested for closure of Azad garden for two weeks. Accordingly the garden was closed for the public till February 25. Intense fogging was carried out in the garden and entire premise was dusted with lime powder as a preventive measure to curb spread of any virus outside.

While speculation was rife about the spread of some deadly avian disease among crows, vets from polyclinic had collected samples of crows and forwarded it to HSADL, Bhopal. Even as period of closure came to an end on Saturday, no report was received from the Bhopal-based lab. Meanwhile, the deaths of crows in garden premises have continued and over 85 deaths have been reported so far. But intensity of deaths of crow has reportedly diminished since last few days.

Assistant commissioner, district veterinary polyclinic, AN Somnathe said, "We have not received any report from the Bhopal lab. This indicates that tests over crow samples have proved negative to any avian disease threatening human being."

"As per procedure, if tests turn out positive to some deadly disease, HSADL, Bhopal forwards its report to central government, which in turn intimates state government. In such case of emergency, district veterinary polyclinic is warned urgently through animal husbandry department. But, it's been over 15 days since sample was sent to Bhopal. It is likely that the tests turned negative," Somnathe explained.

He said that the crow deaths in garden have continued, but their intensity has decreased considerably. "Last death of single crow was reported on Thursday. I have suggested CMC authorities to extend the closure of Azad garden, until deaths of crows comes to an end," he said.

Administrator of CMC NB Wati said, "Unless the veterinary polyclinic gives a green signal we will continue to keep the garden closed for public. Accordingly the garden has been closed till March 5."

Boar deaths on the rise

While the mystery over crow deaths remains unresolved, authorities are also in dark over series of deaths of domestic boars in the town. More than 80 boars have died this month. After the issue was brought into the notice of veterinary authorities, they carried out post mortem on the carcasses and had forwarded the samples to veterinary college in Nagpur. Reports of these samples too have not been received so far. Assistant commissioner, district veterinary polyclinic, AN Somnathe said that the report over swine deaths is expected by Tuesday. Earlier he had maintained that deaths of crows and swine in town have no connection with each other and these swine deaths pose no threat to humans.