Bird flu confirmed in owl found dead in zoo Updated: Updated: Birds in captivity have been isolated, under consistent monitoring, says Director Share Article Birds in captivity have been isolated, under consistent monitoring, says Director A dead owl in the Delhi zoo has tested positive for bird flu, officials said on Saturday. “The cloacal, tracheal and ocular swabs of a brown fish owl were sent to a lab for examination, and it was found positive for H5N8 avian influenza virus,” said zoo director Ramesh Pandey. The samples were found positive for H5N8 avian influenza virus under real time RT-PCR test done by ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Disease (NIHSAD), Bhopal, on Friday, he said, adding that as per protocols and guidelines issued by the Centre and the Delhi government, sanitisation and surveillance drills have been intensified in the zoo. and all possible preventive measures are being taken, Pandey said.