"A trader from Maval had purchased 30,000 birds from Mumbai for selling during Holi. However, 130 of them were reported to have died after being transported from Mumbai to Maval. According to our observation, these birds have not died due to bird flu, but because of shocks during travel," state Animal Husbandary Commissioner Vijay Kumar told PTI.

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Kumar said a five per cent mortality rate is normal in transportation of broilers as they are weak in comparison to backyard poultry and cannot withstand the shock.

"This trader had purchased 30,000 birds of which 130 have died. Even if we assume the figure to be 150 it is mere 0.5 per cent, which is much below the normal mark," Kumar added. Yet, considering the prevailing circumstances, the administration did not take any chances and sent the samples for checking for bird flu symptoms, he said.