Delhi’s Red fort has been closed for public till January 26 to restrict movement after bird flu was detected in one of the 15 crows found dead nearly a week ago in the site, an official confirmed on Tuesday.

According to director of the Delhi government’s animal husbandry department Rakesh Singh, sample from a dead birds were sent to a Jalandhar-based laboratory for testing, which later confirmed presence of the infection.

The restriction, however, is just a precautionary measure only to be imposed till Republic Day.

On Saturday, samples from a dead owl in the Delhi zoo had tested positive for avian influenza.

Also read:‘Don’t eat half-cooked chicken, half-boiled eggs’: Delhi govt’s advisory over bird flu scare

Last week, the Delhi government barred sale of processed and packaged chicken brought from outside the capital and ordered closure of the Ghazipur poultry market in east Delhi.

Following the ban on sale of processed chicken meat, municipal corporations of the city had warned establishments like restaurants and shops of strict action if they did not comply with the orders. The ban was lifted on Thursday.

Officials had earlier said that 10 samples from three areas – Mayur Vihar Phase-3, Sanjay Lake and Dwarka Sector-9 – tested positive for avian influenza.