Bird Flu Outbreak Reported in Pipili Town of Odisha [Current Affairs]

An outbreak of bird flu, caused by the H5N1 strain of avian influenza, has been reported in Pipili town, Puri district, Odisha. Authorities have culled over 11,700 chickens following the detection of the virus. The infected chicken carcasses were tested at the National Institute of High-Security Animal Disease, Bhopal, which confirmed the presence of H5N1.

Previous Cases

Earlier in April 2024, Kerala’s Alappuzha district also reported bird flu, leading to the mass culling of ducks. The first avian influenza outbreak in India occurred in February 2006 in Navapur tehsil, Nandurbar district, Maharashtra. The first human case of avian influenza A(H5N1) in India was reported from Haryana in June 2021, resulting in the death of an 18-year-old boy.

Understanding Avian Influenza

Avian influenza, or bird flu, is a viral infection that primarily affects birds but can occasionally spread to humans. The most common strain affecting humans is H5N1, though H7N7 and H7N9 have also been reported. The disease was first identified in humans in 1997 in Hong Kong among poultry workers. Wild birds are natural carriers of the virus, which spreads through their feces, saliva, and mucus. Human infection can occur through inhalation or contact with the virus through the eyes, nose, or mouth, potentially leading to severe pneumonia and death.

Bird Flu Outbreak in Odisha

Current Situation

An outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza has been reported in Pipili town, Odisha, leading to the culling of over 11,700 chickens. The virus was confirmed by the National Institute of High-Security Animal Disease, Bhopal.

Background

Previously, bird flu was reported in Kerala’s Alappuzha district in April 2024, and the first case in India was in 2006 in Maharashtra. The first human case of H5N1 in India occurred in Haryana in June 2021.

Disease Overview

Bird flu, primarily caused by H5N1, affects birds and can occasionally infect humans. It spreads through contact with infected birds’ feces, saliva, or mucus, and can cause severe pneumonia.