Function for Indira Gandhi cancelled amid flu outbreak

A commemoration programme to mark the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31 will not be held at Shakti Sthal as it has been closed amid the bird flu scare, the Congress informed on Saturday.

The memorial for the first woman Prime Minister was shut last Tuesday following the death of two ducks there because of suspected avian influenza. Earlier too, the site had reported two bird deaths.

With the death of more than 70 birds since its outbreak, the Delhi zoo is also expected to remain shut for two-three months as another pelican died at the zoo on Thursday.

The Delhi government had on Monday issued an 11-point health advisory which asked people to avoid direct contact with bird secretions and carcasses and consume only completely cooked chicken.