PRAYAGRAJ, Oct. 24 -- As a precautionary measure against potential outbreaks of zoonotic diseases such as bird flu in poultry and glanders in horses, mules, and donkeys, the district veterinary department has started collecting throat, fecal, and blood samples from these animals. Both diseases are zoonotic, meaning they can be transmitted to humans.

According to chief veterinary officer (CVO) Dr SN Yadav, samples from poultry birds as well as horses, donkeys and mules are collected on a rotational basis by one of the 49 government-run veterinary hospitals in the district and sent to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) in Bareilly.

"If a sample tests positive, additional samples from the same area of the district are sent to ...