Bird Flu Scare in India and How to Tackle the Problem?

Prof. Dr,R.N.S. Gowda*

While there have been bird flu outbreaks in India, primarily affecting poultry, no human cases of bird flu have been reported in India so far. However, authorities are on high alert, especially in states like Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka have implemented measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

Bird (H5N1) flu outbreaks have been reported in India, particularly in states like Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh, with containment measures and culling of birds being implemented.

Cases of bird flu among poultry birds have been reported in Manvi taluk of Raichur, Chikkaballapur taluk of Chikkaballapur and Sandur taluk of Ballari districts of Karnataka.

After three cats and a bird were found to have the highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara, a market was shut down for 21 days and over 700 chickens were culled to prevent further spread of the infection.

India confirms first H3N2 influenza death in human

Currently, in humans H3N2 Virus is a sub-type of the Influenza A virus that is spreading rapidly across the country. One person died in Karnataka from the H3N2 virus. Pune’s Pimpri-Chinchwad reported its first death due to the H3N2 virus, a 73-year-old man. With this, the death toll in India climbed to nine. Every second person is experiencing prolonged post-viral cough, breathlessness and sneezing. One person has already died in Karnataka from the H3N2 subtype of the Influenza virus.

Human Infections:

• While human-to-human transmission is rare, there have been reports of human infections with avian influenza, including a case of H9N2 in a child from West Bengal in May 2024.
• Experts stress the importance of enhanced surveillance and preventive measures to curb the spread, especially given the detection of H5N1 in domestic cats.

Other Affected Animals:

• Bird flu has been detected in domestic cats, raising concerns about the virus mutating in mammals and its potential risk to humans.
• Outbreaks have also been reported in other animals, including tigers, leopards, vultures, and crows.
• CDC has been responding to the public health challenge posed by a multistate outbreak of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus, or “H5N1 bird flu,” in dairy cows in 2024.

Outbreaks and Containment:

• Bird flu outbreaks, specifically H5N1, have been confirmed in several states, including Jharkhand (Bokaro and Ranchi), Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.
• In Jharkhand, an outbreak in Bokaro district was confirmed after a similar outbreak in Ranchi led to the culling of 5,500 birds.
• Telangana has also reported cases, with the first confirmed case in Yadadri, and officials are on high alert.
• Andhra Pradesh has seen outbreaks in several areas, leading to the declaration of biosecurity zones and restrictions.
• Measures like culling of infected birds and containment measures are being implemented to prevent further spread.

There is all possibility of spread to other states where more poultry population is more.

It is all started with report of crow found dead followed by death of ducks in Kerala and some wild birds in other states then poultry.

What is the probability of Spread?

Spread of AI is mainly from migratory birds and these fly from cold parts of the world to tropical country like India for their breeding. These migratory birds carry the Virus and spread to water birds, aviaries and poultry. Wild aquatic birds can be infected with avian influenza A viruses in their intestines and respiratory tract, but usually do not get sick.

There are numerous different strains of avian influenza; most circulate in wild birds, but only in some young water birds the infection rates sometimes high. These viruses are benign, and at worst cause only mild disease. These “Low Pathogenicity Avian Influenza” (LPAI) viruses also have only mild effects on poultry.

The Virus:

 Avian Influenza (AI) type A viruses are segmented, negative-strand RNA viruses that are placed in the family Orthomyxoviridae in 3 genera: Influenzavirus A, B, and C. Influenza A viruses are the only type reported to cause natural infections of birds and are further divided into subtypes according to antigenic characteristics of the surface glycoproteins hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N). At present, 16 hemagglutinin subtypes (H1–H16) and 9 neuraminidase subtypes (N1–N9) have been identified. Each virus has one H and one N antigen, apparently in any combination; Many combinations of HA and NA proteins are possible (i.e., H5N1, H5N2, H7N2, H7N8, etc). all subtypes and most possible combinations have been isolated from avian species. These viruses are highly mutogenic and in combination they jump to other species of animals  and humans causing Acute Respiratory Disease Syndrome(ARDS)includes fever, sore throat,cough, and some times abdominal pain and diarrhoea.

Only two influenza A virus subtypes (i.e., H1N1, and H3N2) are currently in general circulation among people. Some subtypes are found in other infected animal species. For example, H7N7 and H3N8 virus infections can cause illness in horses, and H3N8 virus infection cause illness in horses and dogs.

Avian influenza outbreaks are of concern in domesticated birds for several reasons:

• the potential for low pathogenic H5 and H7 viruses to evolve into highly pathogenic viruses(HPAI)
• the potential for rapid spread and significant illness and death among poultry during outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza
• the economic impact and trade restrictions from a highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak
• the possibility that avian influenza A virus could be transmitted to humans

As H5N1 outbreaks continue to be there, but, there is need for responses to be calm, balanced, prompt and effective control Programmes.

Exclusive  biosecurity strategies to prevent the introduction of avian influenza into poultry are the best preventive measure. Suspected outbreaks should be reported to appropriate regulatory authorities. Antigenically matched and properly administered vaccines can prevent AI infections, clinical signs, and mortality.

The following procedures have to be followed to control the AI.

• Improved biosecurity at all levels within the poultry industry.
• Tight controls, backed up by better enforcement, on the movements of all poultry products, including fertilizer and feed made from poultry waste. 
• A moratorium on trade in wild birds originating from affected regions.
• Full involvement, collaboration and rapid sharing of information among those with relevant veterinary, medical, agricultural and ecological expertise from around the world.
• Balanced and accurate public communication strategies by government, relevant agencies and the media. Distorted or sensationalized information can easily give rise to misdirected public hysteria about H5N1 
• Heightened surveillance of migratory and resident wild birds, with collection of as much ecological information as possible in the case of confirmed outbreaks.
• More field studies on the ecology of H5N1 in natural environments to improve our understanding of host- or strain-specific pathogenicity, extent or length of viral shedding of H5N1, and the routes of transmission between wild birds.
• Rapid detection and investigation of deaths of migrant wild birds. Wild bird deaths, sometimes involving large numbers of birds, occur for many reasons other than H5N1 and should not be cause for panic.   
•  There is misnomer that eating chicken infects human but the Indian way of cooking chicken meat kills all the virus or bacteria and it is safe to eat chicken meat with proper cooking.

(*Former and Founder VC,KVAFSU, Bidar. former Director IAH&VB< Bangalore, Former Prof and University head, Dept. of pathology, Veterinary College UAS Bangalore)