Red Fort closed to the general public until 26 January

(PTI) New Delhi, Ta. Tuesday, January 19, 2021

The Red Fort has been closed to the public till January 26 after a bird flu test positive for a crow found dead in the fort.

On January 10, 15 crows were found dead on the premises of the Red Fort. The dead crows were sent to the Jalandhar-based laboratory for testing, said Rakesh Singh, director of the Delhi government's animal husbandry department, in a statement.

He further said that the crows in the testing have come to the surface having bird flu. The National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases, ICAR, Bhopal has also confirmed the report.

As a precautionary measure, the general public has been barred from entering the Red Fort premises till January 26, Singh said. The Department of Animal Husbandry has drawn up an action plan to control bird flu, the department said in an order.

Last week, the Delhi government banned the sale of processed and packaged chicken imported from outside the city. It also ordered closure of Ghazipur Poultry Market for ten days.