Gwalior zoo authorities have announced the temporary closure of the premises following a confirmation that 15 of the zoo's birds died of avian influenza, NDTV reported on Friday. Officials had said that samples from the dead birds were sent to the Jabalpur Veterinary University "as a precautionary measure", ANI reported.

The department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries has issued directives to state governments and zoo authorities about controlling the virus.

The deaths follow the shutting down of the National Zoological Park and the Haus Khas Deer Park after several birds died of suspected avian influenza. Meanwhile, the Delhi government assured its citizens of regular monitoring. Delhi's Animal Husbandry Minister Gopal Rai said it was now mandatory to have a health clearance to deliver poultry to the Ghaziabad poultry market, ANI reported.

The reports of bird flu come about a month after India had declared itself free from the contagious H5N1 virus. The government, however, had stressed on the need for "continued surveillance". On September 14, the Department of Animal Husbandry stated, "India has declared itself free from avian influenza from September 5 and notified the same to the World Organisation for Animal Health."