Bird Flu Outbreak in Odisha: Impact, and Precautions

Current Outbreak in Odisha

• H5N1 strain of avian influenza (Bird Flue) detected in Puri district, Odisha
• Virus confirmed in Pipili town by National Institute of High-Security Animal Disease, Bhopal
• Nearly 20,000 chickens culled in Pipili and Satyabadi areas
• 13 state government teams deployed for culling operations
• Health department directs authorities to strengthen surveillance
• Close coordination required between departments for early warning reports

Bird Flu History and Previous Outbreaks in India

• First avian influenza outbreak in India: February 2006, Navapur tehsil, Nandurbar district, Maharashtra
• Recent outbreak in April 2024: Alappuzha district, Kerala (mass culling of ducks)
• First human case of avian Influenza A(H5N1) in India: June 2021, Haryana (18-year-old boy died)
• First global human case: 1997 in Hong Kong among poultry workers

Understanding Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

• Viral infection primarily affecting birds, occasionally spreading to humans
• Most common strain affecting humans: H5N1 (also H7N7 and H7N9 reported)
• Natural carriers: Wild birds
• Transmission: Through infected birds' feces, saliva, and mucus
• Human infection: Inhalation or contact with virus through eyes, nose, or mouth
• Potential consequence: Severe pneumonia, possibly leading to death
• No definite evidence of human-to-human transmission

Precautions and Control Measures

• Culling of infected and potentially exposed birds
• Surveillance and monitoring of poultry farms and wild bird populations
• Testing of suspected cases at specialized laboratories
• Health department directives for human health protection
• Public awareness about the disease and its transmission
• Coordination between animal husbandry and health departments
• Proper disposal of infected bird carcasses
• Personal protective equipment for workers involved in culling operations