Table of Contents
Context: Since 2020, a highly pathogenic avian influenza, H5N1, has been affecting birds worldwide, with more than 80 countries reporting infections as of December 2023.
What is Bird Flu?
- Bird flu or avian influenza primarily infects poultry and wild birds, with strains like H5N1 becoming highly pathogenic when they jump from wild birds to farmed birds.
- The H5N1 strain originated from a virus on a goose farm in Guangdong, China, in 1996, killing over 40% of the infected farm birds.
Outbreak of New H5N1 Virus Variant
- The new H5N1 variant emerged in Europe in 2020, spreading to Africa, Asia, and then to North America by late 2021 and South America by fall 2022.
- Millions of chickens and turkeys have been culled on poultry farms to prevent the spread, and thousands of wild birds like gulls and terns have died.
- Antarctica has reported its first bird flu case (Feb. 2024).
Spreading of H5N1 Virus Beyond Birds
Worryingly, the H5N1 virus is jumping to mammals, including:
- Seals and sea lions (tens of thousands dead worldwide)
- Foxes, pumas, skunks, bears (North America)
- Farmed minks (Spain and Finland)
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Impact of H5N1 Virus (Avian Influenza)
- Wild birds:
- Over 150 wild bird species are infected globally.
- At least 6% of endangered California condors died in 2023.
- The Svalbard Barnacle Geese population was significantly impacted.
- Marine mammals:
- Over 20,000 sea lions and some dolphins died in Chile and Peru.
- Thousands of elephant seals died in Argentina.
- 95% of Southern elephant seal pups died in Patagonia (South America) in late 2023.
- In Humans:
- Low risk of transmission to humans (mostly through close contact with infected birds).
Avian Influenza in India
Avian influenza A (H5N1), commonly known as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) or bird flu, has been present in India since 2006. Initially affecting birds, it has since 2003 also been found in mammals, leading to widespread outbreaks. From 2020 to 2023, poultry in 15 states, including Maharashtra, Punjab, Kerala, and the National Capital Region, experienced outbreaks of both H5N1 and H5N8.
In January and February 2021, Haryana witnessed an outbreak of H5N8 in Panchkula district, causing significant harm to the local poultry industry. While the virus has not yet developed the capability for efficient human-to-human transmission, individuals infected in affected areas could potentially spread the virus internationally through travel.
The H5N1 influenza virus poses a significant risk of rapid spread. A 2024 study suggests that the outbreak in Andhra Pradesh could potentially trigger the next global pandemic.
Reasons Behind Large-Scale Spread of H5N1 Virus (Theories)
Reasons | Details |
Climate change |
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Bird Migration |
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Poultry Trade and Transport |
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Human Activities and Interactions |
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Viral Evolution and Adaptation |
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Environmental Factors |
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Biosecurity Measures |
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Wildlife Reservoirs |
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