Chennai, Feb 5 || Chennai is on high alert after more than 1,500 crows were found dead across several neighbourhoods in recent days, prompting the Central government to direct the Tamil Nadu administration to strengthen surveillance and disease-control measures following confirmation of bird flu.
The sudden deaths were reported from multiple parts of the city, including Adyar, Gandhi Nagar, Pallikaranai, Velachery, Thiruvanmiyur, the East Coast Road, and the Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR).
Residents first noticed crows collapsing in public spaces, trees, and residential areas, triggering concern among civic and animal health authorities.
Responding swiftly, the Animal Disease Investigation Team from Kancheepuram collected samples from the dead birds last month. These samples were sent for laboratory testing to the National Institute of Animal Disease Control in Bhopal, and the test results have now confirmed the presence of avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, among the affected birds.