Context:

• The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has approved India’s self-declaration of freedom from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in specific poultry compartments.

What is avian influenza?

• Avian influenza, also known as ‘bird flu’, is a disease primarily affecting birds and is caused by a virus of the Orthomyxoviridae family.
• Subtype
  • The Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus (LPAIV) can cause a mild illness, often unnoticed or without any symptoms. 
  • The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus (HPAIV) caused by subtypes (H5 and H7) of type A, causes serious illness in birds that can spread rapidly, resulting in high death rates in different species of birds.

• Threat to Human Health: Most of the influenza viruses circulating in birds are not zoonotic. 
  • However, some HPAI strains have the ability to infect humans, posing a threat to public health. 
• Strategies to Curb Spread: Zoning and compartmentalization are strategic tools used to establish and maintain groups of animals with specific health statuses for the purposes of international trade and disease prevention or control.
• Monitoring: WHO continuously monitors avian and other zoonotic influenza viruses closely through its Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS).
• India’s Approach to Control HPAI: India follows a “detect and cull” policy as outlined in the National Action Plan for Prevention, Control, and Containment of Avian Influenza. 
  • It includes the humane destruction of infected and exposed animals, eggs, feed, litter, and other contaminated materials. 
  • Additionally Measures: Restricting the movement of poultry and poultry products, disinfection and clean-up of infected premises, and a Post-Operative Surveillance Plan (POSP) have been implemented. 
  • Vaccination against HPAI is not permitted in India.

News Source: PIB