India on high alert as bird flu toll rises

Bird flu outbreak has been reported at 12 epicenters in Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh.

The Union fisheries, animal husbandary and dairying ministry of Indian government said on Wednesday that advisories have been issued to contain further spread of the infection in poultry ducks, crows and migratory birds.

The current bird flu outbreak is reported barely a few months after India declared the country free from the disease in September 30, 2020. India reported the first outbreak of avian influenza(AI) in 2006. Infections in humans is not yet reported in India though the disease has an animal origin.

“There is no direct evidence that bird flu virus can be transmitted to humans via the consumption of contaminated poultry products. Implementing management practices that incorporate bio security principles, personal hygiene and cleaning and disinfection protocols, as well as cooking and processing standards, are effective means of controlling the spread of the AI viruses,” the Health Ministry advisory said.

The Indian government deployed multi-disciplinary teams in bird flu-affected areas of Kerala and Haryana. Madhya Pradesh banned the entry of chicken consignments from southern states for 10 days as precautionary measure.

Directons have been given to enforce culling sick birds as per government’s 2015 National Avian Influenza plan.