India's First Case of Avian Influenza Among Animals

India’s First Case of Avian Influenza Among Animals

Learn about Avian Influenza, a contagious viral infection affecting birds with potential risks to humans. Explore symptoms, prevention, and control measures to safeguard health and poultry.

Context: Three tigers and one leopard have died due to the H5N1 Virus (avian influenza) at the Gorewada Rescue Centre in Nagpur, Maharashtra, in December 2024. This is the first reported case of avian influenza among animals in India.

About Avian Influenza

Avian influenza (AI) or Bird Flu is a highly contagious viral disease that affects both domestic and wild birds.
Pathogen: Caused by infection with avian (bird) influenza (flu) Type A viruses.
Transmission: Avian influenza viruses can be transmitted directly from wild birds to domestic poultry or indirectly e.g., through contaminated material.
Infection in humans: Do not infect humans normally. However, sporadic human infections with bird flu viruses have occurred.
- Human infections are usually the result of close contact with infected birds or contaminated surfaces.
Symptoms: It may cause mild to severe illness or sudden death in birds.
Presently, there is no commercially available vaccine for high-pathogenic avian influenza.
1st known transmission of avian influenza (AI) to a human occurred in Hong Kong in 1997.

Types of Influenza Virus

There are 4 types of influenza viruses: A, B, C and D

Influenza A and B: These are the primary types responsible for epidemic seasonal infections that occur nearly every year.
Influenza C: It is mainly found in humans, but it can also infect pigs, dogs, cattle, and dromedary camels
Influenza D: It is mainly found in cattle, but it can infect humans and other animals.