Avian influenza

Why in news:

Parts of Kerala, Karnataka and Bihar have reported cases of Avian influenza

India and Avian influenza:

• India has witnessed recurring incidents of avian influenza, mostly in the cooler months of the year.
• Bird flu first broke out in Maharashtra in 2006. The H5N1 virus led to the culling of millions of poultry so as to contain the virus. But it has resurfaced from time to time. Eg: The 2008 bird flu outbreak in West Bengal and 2014 outbreak in Kerala.
• The latest incidents were reported in parts of Kerala, Karnataka and Bihar. The virus is identified as a strain of H5 category.

Threats posed by Avian influenza:

• Threat to human life: Though small, there have been many cases of human illnesses and deaths. Also, there is a high risk of pandemic posed by potentially mutated strains of these viruses, similar in lines with the coronavirus outbreak.
• Economic loss: SARS in 2003 led to an immediate economic loss of approximately 2% of East Asian GDP. A global pandemic from avian influenza would have a more widespread effect, especially on meat and poultry exporting countries such as India.
• Loss of livelihood: India's poultry population is predominantly managed by small and medium scale farmers. Backyard poultry is a major source of secondary income for many families. As Influenza forces large scale culling of these birds to prevent the spread of the disease, it leaves many without a means of livelihood.  
• Ripple effect on allied sectors: Bird flu outbreaks affects the dairy and meat industries. The fear of the disease reduces demand for animal products, which in turn affects the export industry.

Reasons for occurence of Avian influenza

• Some of the possible reasons for occurence of Avian influenza:
  • High density of poultry population
  • Illegal movement of poultry and poultry products from infected areas into the country
  • Presence of large number of water-bodies visited by migratory / wild birds
  • Inadequate bio-security in backyard rearing
  • Inadequate sanitation of wholesale and retail poultry markets
  • Endemic situation of Avian Influenza in the neighboring countries

Human infections

• Avian flu viruses do not normally infect humans. Though these viruses have not acquired the ability of sustained transmission among humans, researchers believe that it can stably adapt and sustain person-to person transmission.
• Human infections are primarily acquired through direct contact with infected animals or contaminated environments.
• The infections in humans may cause disease ranging from fever and cough, to severe pneumonia, sepsis and even death. Conjunctivitis, encephalitis and encephalopathy have also been reported.

Measures taken for managing Avian influenza

• Measures taken are:
  • I. Action Plan on Preparedness, Control and Containment of Avian Influenza:
    • All outbreaks of Avian Influenza are handled as per the guidelines in the action Plan. The major activities undertaken for control and containment are:
      • Notification of Outbreak
      • Demarcation of culling and surveillance areas
      • Launch of control & containment operations by Rapid Response Teams (RRTs)
      • culling of birds and their disposal
      • Compensation for Culling
      • Clean-up, disinfection and Post Operation Surveillance
      • Declaration of Freedom from Disease
  • II. Biosafety labs:
    • To strengthen the diagnosis of Avian Influenza, under World Bank assisted project on Avian Influenza, four pre-fabricated Bio-Safety Level-III (BSL-III) laboratories have been established at Jalandhar, Kolkata, Bangalore and Bareilly.
  • III. Capacity building:
    • Sensitization of general public through Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaigns.
  • IV. Vaccination programmes are available against the major poultry diseases in India.

Conclusion 

• Influenza viruses, with the vast silent reservoir in aquatic birds, are impossible to eradicate. To minimize public health risk, quality surveillance in both animal and human populations, thorough investigation of every human infection and risk-based pandemic planning are essential.

Prelims Question

Q. Discuss the socio-economic impact of avian influenza on India?