On 3rd September 2019, the declaration was made that India is free from the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), also known as H5N1. The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) was notified of this status, which came as a result of measures taken to control the disease that had previously erupted in localities such as Jharkhand, Bihar, and Odisha. This announcement is significant not only for the poultry industry but also for human health, seeing as humans can contract this illness from animals. It should be noted, however, that human-to-human transmission is not sustained by the pathogen.
Understanding Avian Influenza
Avian Influenza (AI) is a viral disease that poses a threat to diverse bird species. These include not only food-producing birds like chickens, turkeys, quails, guinea fowl but also pet birds and wild birds. Occasionally, mammals, including humans, can also contract avian influenza. The virus is characterized by two surface proteins, namely Hemagglutinin (HA) and Neuraminidase (NA). These proteins are used for classifying Influenza A viruses into subtypes. For example, a virus subtype will be designated H7N9 if it possesses an HA 7 protein and an NA 9 protein. The AI subtypes include A(H5N1), A(H7N9), and A(H9N2). Among these, the HPAI A(H5N1) virus is particularly lethal for poultry and is highly contagious among birds.
The Implications of Avian Influenza Outbreaks
AI outbreaks have devastating effects on a country, particularly impacting the poultry industry severely. Farmers may face mortality rates in their flocks that sometimes reach 50%. To prevent these outbreaks, strict biosecurity measures and excellent hygiene are crucial.
| Avian Influenza Subtypes | Effects on Poultry | Transmission to Humans |
|---|---|---|
| A(H5N1) | Highly contagious and deadly | Can be transmitted |
| A(H7N9) | Less common but still dangerous | Can be transmitted |
| A(H9N2) | Common, but less lethal | Can be transmitted |
Eradicating Avian Influenza
If animals are detected with the infection, a culling policy is usually implemented to rapidly contain, control, and eradicate the disease. The infected and contact animals are the target of this action.
The Role of the World Organization for Animal Health
The OIE is an intergovernmental organization responsible for enhancing animal health globally. Recognized as a reference organization by the World Trade Organization (WTO), it boasted 182 member countries in 2018. The organization’s headquarters are situated in Paris, France.