How severe is the Bird flu outbreak and can we deal with it?

Nearly 25,000 birds have succumbed to different variants of bird flu across states like Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana. The development comes as India is all set to witness a second migration period.
Here is all you need to know about the outbreak as it continues to spread, posing another threat to the human race after the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Anshika Awasthi

What is Bird flu/ H5N1/ avian influenza?

It is a highly contagious viral disease caused by strains of the influenza virus that infects birds such as chickens and turkeys, but also possesses the ability to infect humans. his flu is most often contracted by sick birds. It can also be transmitted from person to person.

How does it spread?

Aquatic birds like ducks and geese are said to be the natural carriers of Influenza A viruses and also play a central role in the ecology of these viruses. Many birds, in fact, carry the flu with them without showing signs of sickness and shed it via droppings, even while flying, thereby spreading it all over the world. Sometimes, the virus also jumps over to mammals such as horses, cats, pigs and dogs.

Bird flu in India

India, which is already in the grips of new strains of coronavirus , has reported  avian influenza from 12 epicentres of four states, which are--Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Kerala - after confirmation of positive samples from ICAR-NIHSAD.
As per the Animal Husbandry department, sudden deaths of as many as 376 crows have been reported from parts of western Madhya Pradesh, including 142 in Indore, 100 in Mandsaur, 112 in Agar-Malwa, 13 in Khargone and 9 in Sehore. In Kerala, the flu has been detected in 2 districts, prompting authorities to order culling of ducks

What Animal husbandry department officials are doing?

Animal husbandry department officials in all districts have been directed to report sudden deaths of crows as well as their control and culling to the state government in coordination with the district administration and related departments.

The last bird flu outbreak

It was in 1997 when humans contracted bird flu for the first time following an outbreak in a live bird market of Hong Kong. It was the H5N1 strain of the virus, and 6 out of 18 humans who were infected died of the deadly disease.

Should you be worried if you've been eating poultry ?

The answer is no! There is no such evidence. As per WHO, there is no evidence that the disease can be spread to people through properly prepared and cooked poultry food. The virus is sensitive to heat, and dies in cooking temperature itself.
AIIMS has suggested that good hygienic cooking practices of poultry-related items should be followed. Therefore, cooking an egg when its yolk becomes firm is safe to eat. One should avoid consuming runny eggs amid the bird flu outbreak.

Symptoms

The avian influenza attacks the respiratory tract of humans and may cause severe respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia or Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS).
Common symptoms begin within two to eight days and can seem like the common flu. Cough, fever, sore throat, muscle aches, headache and shortness of breath may occur.

Treatment

According to the Union health ministry, antiviral drugs, especially oseltamivir, improve the prospects of survival in humans.
The ministry has advised people working with poultry to use PPEs and follow strict hand hygiene. In the US, the FDA approved a vaccine for the H5N1 virus in 2007.

What is the test for avian flu?

A throat swab is taken from the patient to test for avian flu.  

Measures taken by govt to combat flu

The government has immediately jumped in to control the outbreak and prevent further spread. It has asked states to strengthen the biosecurity of poultry farms, disinfect the affected areas, and properly dispose of dead birds and their carcasses. The ministry has also asked states to follow the general prevention guidelines. A control room has also been set up in New Delhi to keep watch on the situation.

Here's why you should be scared!

The H5N1 is severe and deadly. There are high chances of it becoming a pandemic if the virus mutates and becomes easily transmissible from person to person.

What's happening in other parts of the world?

A series of bird flu outbreaks have also been reported in Europe in past weeks. The wild birds are suspected to be spreading the virus. It has also been reported in countries including France and Britain, along with cases found in Germany. About 62,000 turkeys and ducks will be slaughtered after bird flu was found on more poultry farms in Germany. France is also set to cull around 600,000 poultry birds in a bid to contain an avian influenza virus that is spreading among duck flocks in the southwest of the country, the farm ministry said.

Is there a vaccine for humans against avian flu?

There is no vaccine for humans against bird flu. The vaccine against human influenza virus does not protect against avian flu.