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India’s ongoing battle with bird flu has taken a serious turn, as the deadly H5N1 virus—once largely restricted to poultry—has begun infecting a wide range of non-avian species, including tigers, leopards, jungle cats, and even pet cats. This alarming development, coupled with the recent death of a child in Andhra Pradesh due to H5N1, has raised significant public health and biosecurity concerns nationwide.
A Dangerous Cross-Species Leap
What was once considered an infection limited to birds has now crossed species lines. Infections have been confirmed in both wild and domestic non-poultry animals across various states. Maharashtra has emerged as a critical zone, with H5N1 detected in tigers, leopards, hawks, vultures, crows, and even egrets.
Madhya Pradesh has reported a pet cat testing positive for the virus—an unprecedented case that has highlighted the zoonotic potential of the pathogen. Meanwhile, states like Rajasthan, Bihar, and Goa have recorded infections in demoiselle cranes, painted storks, jungle cats, and crows, respectively.
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Wildlife experts and virologists are particularly worried about the implications of such a wide animal host range. These cases indicate a troubling breach in the species barrier, suggesting the virus may be adapting in ways that increase its potential to infect humans.
States On High Alert As Virus Spreads
According to data from the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD), outbreaks have now been confirmed in poultry across eight states: Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Bihar. Of the 34 identified epicentres, six remain active.
Among the worst-hit are districts like Bokaro and Pakur in Jharkhand, several districts in Telangana including Ranga Reddy and Nalgonda, and Baikunthpur and Korea in Chhattisgarh.
Andhra Pradesh, already reeling from a child fatality due to the virus, has enforced strict containment measures. Districts such as West Godavari, Kakinada, Eluru, and NTR have been declared as infected or under surveillance, with movement of poultry restricted within a 10-kilometre radius.
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Government Rolls Out Three-Pronged Action Plan
To tackle this growing threat, the DAHD has laid out a comprehensive action strategy:
- Enhanced Biosecurity: Poultry farms are now mandated to follow stringent sanitation protocols, limit outside access, and maintain hygienic handling practices.
- Mandatory Farm Registration and Surveillance: Poultry farms must register with the state animal husbandry departments within a month, enabling better outbreak tracking and response.
- Early Detection Tools: The development of predictive models and environmental surveillance systems is underway to forecast potential outbreaks before they spiral.
DAHD Secretary Alka Upadhyaya emphasized the need for decisive action, stating, “Protecting our poultry sector is critical for food security and rural livelihoods. Strict biosecurity, scientific surveillance, and responsible industry practices are essential.”
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Vaccination: A Work in Progress
In light of the rising threat, the government has approved commercial use of a vaccine against the H9N2 low pathogenic avian influenza, developed by ICAR-NIHSAD. However, vaccination against the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus remains under scientific review.
While the poultry industry supports HPAI vaccination to prevent economic collapse, experts warn that current vaccines do not offer complete protection or “sterile immunity,” and only reduce the amount of virus shed by infected birds. Further studies are being carried out to evaluate and develop a more effective indigenous HPAI vaccine.
Also Read: Hepatitis A Outbreak In Kerala: Over 100 Cases Reported In Ernakulam, Confirms Health Department
Human Health At Risk?
The fact that non-avian species—and even domestic pets—are now susceptible to H5N1 raises the possibility of the virus evolving further. Cross-species transmission increases the chances of the virus adapting to human hosts, which could potentially lead to a public health crisis if not contained quickly.
Sequencing data from Indian outbreaks is being shared globally to support international monitoring and research. Meanwhile, central and state agencies are intensifying testing in both poultry and non-poultry species, particularly during the winter migratory bird season.
With coordinated efforts between the DAHD, wildlife authorities, and state governments, India is racing to control the spread of the virus before it escalates into a larger zoonotic or pandemic threat.