After the death of more than 1700 migratory birds across north India, reports are now coming in that a strain (H5N8) of avian influenza (bird flu) has been detected in samples of dead birds from Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Kerala. After the mysterious bird deaths over the past week, their samples were sent to National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal, for investigation.
Avian Influenza
Avian Influenza (Bird flu) is a highly infectious and severe respiratory disease in birds caused by the H5N1 influenza virus. It can occasionally infect humans as well. Although cooking the bird meat (like chicken) kills the virus, it is able to infect human beings while handling the bird, or washing the raw meat. India was declared free from avian influenza in July 2015 after completion of disinfection and post operation surveillance. As part of preparedness, countrywide surveillance is being maintained against the disease. The H5N8 strain outbreaks were reported in 2010, in Asia, and was first found in domestic ducks in China.
The Outbreak
In the last week of December, 2020, a large number ofmigratory birds started mysteriously dying in the Pong Dam Wildlife Sanctuary, Himachal Pradesh. This was followed by bird deaths in Rajasthan. More than 55 peafowls found dead in Nagaur district, whereas 100+ crows died in Jodhpur district. Bird flu virus was detected in around 50 crows whose carcasses were found in Indore, in Madhya Pradesh. This coincided with an outbreak in Kottayam and Alappuzha districts of Kerala. 12,000 ducks had died due to the infection in parts of Alappuzha and Kottayam. The presence of the H5N8 subtype of the Influenza A virus was reported in ducks in Alappuzha district and Kottayam district, of Kerala. Now, after tests at the Bhopal facility, the same H5N8 strain has been found in samples from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and (Pong Dam) Himachal Pradesh. While the source of infection is yet to be pinpointed, the role of migratory birds in passing on the virus is suspected. In recent years, bird flu (H5N1 strain) outbreaks were reported in Kerala in 2014 and 2020. An H5N8 outbreak was reported in Kuttanad in Alappuzha, in 2016.Risk to humans?
Although it is lethal for birds, the H5N8 strain of avian influenza has a less chances of spreading to humans, as compared to H5N1. COVID-19 precautions – like wearing masks, and social distancing, further reduce the threat. With continued incidence of avian influenza due to existing and new influenza A(H5) viruses in poultry, there is a need to remain vigilant in the animal and public health sectors, according to WHO. ‘One health’ approach – zoonotic diseases can be controlled through a coordinated approach from veterinary and health departments.
Action taken
In Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh, the slaughtering, sale, purchase and export of any poultry, birds, fish of any breed and their related products, including eggs, meat, chicken, have been prohibited – in the affected subdivisions. Steps taken, under Section 34 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005. Movement of locals and tourists within one kilometre radius of Pong Dam, has also been banned. The dead birds are being disposed off as per bird-flu protocol. Wildlife officials in Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh, have been put on high alert. Prohibitory orders (under Section 144 of Cr.P.C.) have been imposed and a one-km radius area was declared a “zero mobility zone” in Rajasthan’s Jhalawar town, after the mass death of crows owing to avian influenza.
The Jhalawar Municipal Council has ordered closure of all poultry and egg shops. Kerala has announced, that culling of ducks in the infected regions will be undertaken as per Central government guidelines (Avian Influenza Action Plan-2015). A flock of 1,000 ducks within the 1-km radius of the infection hotspot will be culled to prevent the spread of the disease. Eight teams have been formed for culling.The birds will be culled in a place close to the infected area. Carcasses of the culled birds will be burned. All those involved in the culling operations will wear PPE kits.
They will also be given preventive medicines. Kerala will also collect samples of domesticated birds within a 10-km radius of the epicentre of the disease, and test them. The Social Forestry Department has been tasked to monitor migratory birds in and around Neendoor. If any migratory birds are found to be dying unnaturally, the Animal Husbandry Department should be informed. Fishing has also been banned in the affected areas.
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