FAISALABAD, April 11: The confirmation of avian influenza virus (H5) in the specimens of two crows found dead in Gutwala wildlife park has raised an alarm among the authorities concerned, sources said on Wednesday.

They said the crows were found dead on April 6. The district livestock officer sent the birds’ carcasses to the Poultry Research Institute, Rawalpindi, for analysis. The institute’s laboratory confirmed the presence of H5 virus in the birds, the sources said.

The laboratory director, Dr Shamsul Hasan, asked Faisalabad administration to place the relevant wings on high alert, directing them to properly dispose off any dead birds found in the city.

The sources said the administration held a meeting with the Wildlife department officers, and directed them to take measures, including vaccination of birds, to avert the virus spread.

Sources said all town municipal administrations had been asked to be on a vigil regarding the prevalence of H5 among the birds.

Livestock Officer Dr Akbar has advised all TMAs to instruct their sanitary staff to bury the dead birds deep. He also called for vaccination of caged fancy birds in the park, besides disinfecting their cages. However, he claimed the measures were precautionary in nature, and there was ‘no need to worry’.