Peacocks spread flu at Pakistan zoo

Islamabad (dpa) - A fresh outbreak of bird flu has struck at the zoo in Pakistan's capital Islamabad, where a gift batch of infected peacocks is blamed for decimating bird displays.

The Marghazar Zoo has been temporarily closed after test results this week confirmed the deaths of ducks and geese from the H5N1 strain of bird flu that is also lethal to humans.

"We took emergency action by culling five peacocks and vaccinated the rest of the flocks. The entire premises has also been fumigated," zoo director Raja Javed said as his 84 staff members underwent daily medical checks for any sign of the virus.

Two dozen of around 200 birds died after the zoo received a gift of seven peacocks on February 12. Health inspectors had only just given the collections a clean bill of health when the new birds arrived.

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