On Wednesday the Central government assured that no infection has been reported yet in humans and there’s no evidence that the avian influenza virus transmits to humans through consumption of contaminated poultry products.
Avian Influenza (AI) viruses have been circulating worldwide for centuries now with four known major outbreaks recorded in the last century. However, India notified the first outbreak of avian influenza in 2006.
No Evidence Of Transmission Of Avian Influenza Via Contaminated Poultry Products
The Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying said in a statement that, “Infection in humans is not yet reported in India though the disease is zoonotic. There is no evidence that AI viruses are often transmitted to humans via the consumption of contaminated poultry products.”
In India, the disease is spread mainly by migratory birds coming into India during months the months of September – October to February and March. The secondary spread is by human handling, through fomites, that cannot be ruled out.
Controlling The Spread Of The Avian Influenza Or Bird Flu Virus
After confirmation of positive samples from ICAR-NIHSAD, the avian influenza virus has been reported from Rajasthan (crow), Madhya Pradesh (crow), Himachal Pradesh (migratory birds), and Kerala (poultry duck) at 12 epicenters.
Therefore, some effective measures like biosecurity principles, personal hygiene, cleaning and disinfection protocols, as well as cooking and processing standards should be implemented to help in controlling the spread of the avian influenza virus.
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has set up a control room in New Delhi to keep a watch on the situation and to take stock on a daily basis of preventive and control measures undertaken by state authorities.
Advisory Issued Following The Bird Flu Scare
Consequently, an advisory has also been issued to Rajasthan and MP on January 1, so as to avoid further spread of the infection. As per the knowledge received from Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, control measures are being taken as per the rules of the National Action Plan of Avian Influenza.
Meanwhile another advisory has been issued on January 5, 2021, to Himachal Pradesh where the State has been advised to take measures so as to avoid further spread of disease to poultry.
According to report received, Kerala has already initiated control and containment operations from January 5 at epicenters and therefore the culling process is operational.
The measures suggested to the affected states to contain the disease and stop further spread as per the Action Plan on Avian Influenza include strengthening the biosecurity of poultry farms, disinfection of affected areas, proper disposal of dead birds or carcasses, timely collection and submission of samples for confirmation and further surveillance, intensification of surveillance plan also because of the general guidelines for the prevention of disease spread from affected birds to poultry and human.
Coordination with the forest department for reporting any unusual mortality of birds was also suggested to the states. The other states were also requested to stay a vigil on any unusual mortality amongst birds and to report immediately to require necessary measures.