India has reported 1 positive case, in a non-domestic species so far, a black heron, of highly pathogenic influenza subtype A (HPAI) H5N1 (avian influenza) variant that is ravaging wildlife in several parts of the world. The outbreak has raised concerns recently due to its devastating impact on endangered wild birds and mammals.
Out of 1500 samples received by the Department of Animal Husbandry this year, only 1 non-domestic bird tested positive for the highly virulent virus. But, considering India’s rich biodiversity, the detection of the infection is still a matter of concern.
There have already been 2-3 outbreaks in Kerala and Jharkhand among domestic birds this year which had to be contained by mass culling, according to officials. Outbreaks were reported from Thiruvalla in the kuttanad belt among ducks in January; AND among poultry farms in Ranchi and Bokaro in Jharkhand in March. Over 400 chicken died in a period of five days at the government poultry farm located in Lohanchal, in Bokaro according to news reports from Jharkhand.
“India is not new to avian flu. We have been detecting outbreaks since 2006. But, there are two issues of concern with the current global outbreak—the speed of its spread and the fact that it is infecting mammals. But we do not need to panic. Covid has taught us how important detection and surveillance is. It is continuously being done. We have a clear protocol in place on how to handle outbreaks. One of the reference labs of World Organisation for Animal Health is in India which is the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD). It is a state-of-the-art facility and has been detecting these cases,” said Abhijit Mitra, Animal Husbandry Commissioner, Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying. Source: HT