India - Media reports 2nd cumulative human bird flu, H5N1, death, - in Andhra Pradesh - April 2, 2025

[tetano]

India has recorded its second human death due to bird flu after a two-year-old girl from Narasaraopet in Andhra Pradesh’s Palnadu district succumbed to the H5N1 virus.

The child was admitted to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)Mangalagiri on 4 March after experiencing fever and difficulty in breathing. Despite receiving medical treatment, she passed away on 16 March. Given concerns about avian influenza, her swab samples were tested at the AIIMS, confirming an H5N1 infection.
This diagnosis was later corroborated by the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune.
“The NIV lab in Pune has confirmed the presence of H5N1 virus in the swab,” a health official from Andhra Pradesh told South First.
Health officials learned from the child’s family that she had consumed a piece of raw chicken meat while food was being prepared at home. Soon after, she developed symptoms that led to her hospitalisation. The family also mentioned that she frequently played with domestic and stray dogs.
“When the child asked for a piece of chicken while we were cutting it, we gave it to her. She fell ill only afterwards. We have done this before, but none of us have had any health problems after eating cooked meat,” reported Eenadu newspaper.
However, the Animal Husbandry Department stated that no bird flu outbreaks had been reported in the Palnadu district.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) confirmed the child’s death due to the H5N1 influenza virus and alerted the state government. Authorities have stressed that this is the first recorded human fatality due to bird flu in India. The state government has instructed health officials across all districts to remain vigilant while assuring the public that there is no immediate cause for alarm.

https://thesouthfirst.com/andhraprad...ndhra-pradesh/

[sharon sanders]

hat tip @vinodscaria

https://www.eenadu.net/telugu-news/andhra-pradesh/2-year-old-girl-died-with-bird-flu-in-narasaraopet/1702/125059484

[sharon sanders]

Please see:

India - Male, 11, hospitalized July 2, 2021, died in New Delhi, from Haryana state. Death

India: Andhra Pradesh - Bird flu in poultry 2024 -2025

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.moneycontrol.com/city/an...-12982647.html


Andhra records first human death due to bird flu: 2-year-old girl dies after eating raw chicken
This first-recorded human death due to bird flu comes shortly after the Animal Husbandry Department declared Andhra Pradesh free of the virus.
Moneycontrol City Desk
April 02, 2025

A two-year-old girl succumbed to the Avian Influenza (H5N1) virus after reportedly consuming raw chicken meat given by her parents in Balaiah Nagar, Palnadu district, Andhra Pradesh

The toddler’s death marks the first human casualty due to the bird flu virus in the state.

The child was admitted to AIIMS Mangala Giri on March 4 by her parents after developing symptoms of acute fever and breathing difficulties. Despite medical intervention, she passed away on March 16 while undergoing treatment.

The girl’s father works as a loan recovery agent at a private bank, while her mother is a homemaker. According to reports, on February 28, the parents fed the child a piece of raw chicken meat while they consumed cooked chicken. She subsequently fell ill, and as her condition worsened, they took her to a local hospital before transferring her to AIIMS Mangala Giri on March 4...

[Pathfinder]

I asked Grok 3 on X for :

Andhra Pradesh government official website press release avian influenza H5N1

The answer:

DeepSearch
1m 19s
48 sources


Searching for press release


Completed


Searching for press release

• The request is about finding a press release on the Andhra Pradesh government's official website regarding avian influenza H5N1. This feels like a specific, time-sensitive task, so I need to ensure I get the latest info.

Searching for "Andhra Pradesh government official website"


Website of Andhra Pradesh Government| National Portal of India

https://www.india.gov.in

Integrated Government Online Directory : State / UT Government : Andhra Pradesh : Departments
igod.gov.in

AP State Portal
ap.gov.in


NIC AP | APSC Vijaywada | India
ap.nic.in


Government of Andhra Pradesh - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org

See 5 more

• Currently looking at search results, "AP State Portal - https://ap.gov.in/" seems official, and "NIC AP | APSC Vijaywada | India - https://ap.nic.in/" is from the National Informatics Centre, often tied to government sites. Another redirect from "AP ONLINE - https://aponline.gov.in/" points to ap.gov.in, so that's likely the main site.
• I'm thinking avian influenza H5N1 is health-related, so it might be under a health department. The search results mentioned departments, so I could check for a health department link, but let's start with the main portal first.

Browsing ap.gov.in for "press releases or news section related to avian influenza H5N1"

• Hmm, it says the webpage couldn't load. That's odd, but maybe the URL is down or something. Let me try the other one I saw, ap.nic.in, which is also a government-related site. Maybe they have press releases there.

Browsing ap.nic.in for "press releases or news section related to avian influenza H5N1"

• OK, that didn't work either—no specific info about press releases or H5N1. Maybe ap.nic.in is more for IT infrastructure, not press releases. Let's explore if a different department site, like Animal Husbandry or Health, might have it.

Searching for "Andhra Pradesh government press releases avian influenza H5N1"


India reports eight outbreaks of bird flu in Andhra Pradesh | Reuters

https://www.reuters.com

Fatal H5N1 case reported in India's Andhra Pradesh state | CIDRAP

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu

India: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Outbreaks in India | USDA Foreign Agricultural Service

https://www.fas.usda.gov

Tragic H5N1 Death: Andhra Pradesh Girl Dies After Suspected Raw Chicken Consumption

https://www.downtoearth.org.in

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus Infection Reported in a Person in the U.S. | CDC Online Newsroom | CDC

https://www.cdc.gov

See 5 more

• Interesting, search results show recent H5N1 articles, like a child's death, from news outlets like Reuters and The Hindu, not directly from the government. But The Hindu mentions press releases from the State Medical and Health Department, suggesting the government issued something.
• There's a lot here, so I'm checking The Hindu's article to see if it links to the press release. The URL is https://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...le69404575.ece, and it mentions a release from April 2.

Browsing thehindu.com for "link to Andhra Pradesh government press release on avian influenza H5N1"

• No direct link, but it confirms there was a press release on April 2 about H5N1, related to a child's death and precautions. Since it's from the Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare Department, maybe I should try finding their specific website.

Searching for "Andhra Pradesh Health Department official website"

Ap
cfw.ap.nic.in


Department of Health, Family Welfare and Medical Education (Andhra Pradesh) - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org


Chief Data Officer | Open Government Data (OGD) Platform India
ap.data.gov.in


Health, Medical & Family Welfare – Telangana State Portal

https://www.telangana.gov.in

Home | Directorate of Health Services, Government of Madhya Pradesh,India

https://www.health.mp.gov.in

See 5 more

• "cfw.ap.nic.in" looks like the Commissionerate of Health and Family Welfare site, which fits. I'm thinking this could be the place for health-related press releases, so let's check it out for H5N1 info.

Browsing cfw.ap.nic.in for "press releases related to avian influenza H5N1"

• No luck there either. Maybe they have a news or press section I missed. I can try searching within the site—government sites often have search functions. Let's check "https://cfw.ap.nic.in/search?q=avian+influenza+h5n1" for any press releases.

Browsing cfw.ap.nic.in for "press releases related to avian influenza H5N1"

• Still nothing. This is getting tricky. Maybe the press releases are on the main government portal under news, and I couldn't load it earlier. Let's try ap.gov.in again, but this time with a search for H5N1.

Browsing ap.gov.in for "press releases related to avian influenza H5N1"

• Still an error. Maybe the site is down or restricted. Given the news articles mentioned press releases, and considering the date (April 2, 2025, from The Hindu), it's recent, so it should be online.

Searching for "Andhra Pradesh Animal Husbandry Department official website"


Department of Animal Husbandry | India
dahd.maharashtra.gov.in


Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying | Government of India
dahd.nic.in


Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries (Andhra Pradesh) - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org


Information on Animal Husbandry Department of Andhra Pradesh| National Portal of India

https://www.india.gov.in

Animal Husbandry | Krishna District, Government of Andhra Pradesh | India
krishna.ap.gov.in

See 5 more

• I see "https://krishna.ap.gov.in/animal-husbandry/" for a district, but let's try the main one—web:7, apbba.in, looks suspicious, maybe not official. Let me try "https://ahdd.ap.gov.in/" if it exists, following standard naming.

Browsing ahdd.ap.gov.in for "press releases related to avian influenza H5N1"

• Still an error. This is tough—maybe the press releases are archived somewhere else, like on a media portal. Let me try one last search for "Andhra Pradesh government media portal press release H5N1."

Searching for "Andhra Pradesh government media portal press release H5N1"


News & Press Releases| National Portal of India

https://www.india.gov.in

I&PR Press Release
ipr.ap.nic.in

AP State Portal

https://www.ap.gov.in

AP State Portal
ap.gov.in


Press & Media – Telangana State Portal

https://www.telangana.gov.in

See 5 more

• I found "ipr.ap.nic.in" from the search, which is Information and Public Relations, likely where press releases are. Let's check that for H5N1 info.

Browsing ipr.ap.nic.in for "press releases related to avian influenza H5N1"

• Still an error. At this point, I've tried multiple government sites, and many are not loading or don't have the information. Given the news articles cited press releases, and considering the date is recent (April 2, 2025), I think the information is out there, but my access is limited. Let me try one last browse on The Hindu's article again, web:7, to see if they quote the press release directly.

Browsing thehindu.com for "content of Andhra Pradesh government press release on avian influenza H5N1"

• OK, finally, I have details from the press release, cited in The Hindu. It seems the press release was from the State Medical and Health Department, and The Hindu has summarized it, including measures like deploying RRTs and testing family members.

Completed

48 web pages

Key Points

• It seems likely that the Andhra Pradesh government issued a press release on April 2, 2025, regarding a human death from H5N1 avian influenza in Palnadu district.
• The release likely detailed the case of a two-year-old girl, possible infection from raw chicken, and response measures like deploying Rapid Response Teams.
• Research suggests no prior bird flu outbreaks in the district, with ongoing surveillance and family testing showing negative results.

Background

The press release addresses a significant public health concern, focusing on a rare human case of H5N1, commonly known as bird flu, in Andhra Pradesh. This virus typically affects birds but can occasionally transmit to humans, often through close contact with infected poultry.

Case Details

The press release highlights the death of a two-year-old girl from Narasaraopeta in Palnadu district, confirmed positive for H5N1 on March 31, 2025, by the National Institute of Virology (NIV-Pune) The Hindu. It notes she consumed raw chicken, a potential infection source, despite no known local poultry outbreaks.

Response Measures

The government’s response included deploying Rapid Response Teams for fever surveys, testing family members (all negative), and advising the public to cook meat and eggs properly. Surveillance is set to continue for two weeks, with no abnormal cases identified yet.

Unexpected Detail

An unexpected detail is the lack of prior bird flu outbreaks in Palnadu, raising questions about how the virus reached the area, possibly through infected chicks sold locally.

---

Comprehensive Report on Andhra Pradesh Government Press Release on Avian Influenza H5N1
This report provides a detailed analysis of the Andhra Pradesh government’s press release on avian influenza H5N1, issued on April 2, 2025, as inferred from available media reports and government-related sources. The focus is on the human case reported, public health responses, and the broader context of bird flu in the region. The information is synthesized from multiple sources, including news articles and government directory listings, to ensure a thorough understanding.

Context and Background

Avian influenza, particularly the H5N1 strain, is a highly pathogenic virus primarily affecting birds but with rare instances of human transmission, often linked to close contact with infected poultry.

The Andhra Pradesh government’s press release, as cited in media, addresses a significant public health event: the first human death from H5N1 in the state since 2021. This case, reported on April 2, 2025, underscores the ongoing challenge of zoonotic diseases and the need for robust surveillance and public awareness.

The press release is likely issued by the Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare Department, given its focus on human health, though coordination with the Animal Husbandry Department is evident due to the bird flu context. Efforts to locate the official press release on government websites, such as cfw.ap.nic.in and ap.gov.in, were unsuccessful, suggesting possible access issues or archival delays. However, media reports, particularly from The Hindu, provide detailed insights into the content, which forms the basis of this report.

Case Details and Investigation

The press release centers on the death of a two-year-old girl from Narasaraopeta in Palnadu district, who succumbed to multi-organ failure at AIIMS-Mangalagiri on March 16, 2025. Initial hospitalization occurred on February 28, with symptoms possibly linked to H5N1, confirmed by the National Institute of Virology (NIV-Pune) on March 31, 2025. This confirmation marks it as the second human death from bird flu in India recently, highlighting the rarity and severity of such cases.

A critical detail is the absence of prior bird flu outbreaks or large-scale bird mortality in Palnadu district, as noted in the press release. This is unusual, given Andhra Pradesh reported avian influenza in more than four districts in January and February 2025, but not Palnadu. The possible infection source is identified as the girl’s habit of consuming raw chicken, eaten two days before symptom onset, with speculation that infected chicks from other affected areas might have been sold locally. This raises concerns about undetected poultry transmission chains and the need for enhanced tracing.

Family members, including parents, grandparents, and a four-year-old sister, were tested, with blood and nasal samples collected. All tested negative for the disease, and while nasal sample reports were pending as of April 3, 2025, it was noted they consumed cooked meat, reducing their risk. This detail underscores the importance of cooking practices in preventing transmission.
Public Health Response and Measures

The government’s response, as outlined in the press release, includes several proactive measures to mitigate risk and monitor potential spread. Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) from Government General Hospital, Guntur, along with eight other teams, were deployed for fever surveys in and around the locality. As of the report, no abnormal cases were identified, but surveillance is set to continue for two weeks, with testing organized for any symptomatic persons. This reflects a precautionary approach to ensure community safety.

Official statements from the Director of the Animal Husbandry Department, T. Damodar Naidu, and District Medical and Health Officer (DMHO) B. Ravi, emphasize there is no need for alarm.
They advise the public to cook meat and eggs properly, a key preventive measure against zoonotic transmission. This advice is particularly relevant given the raw chicken consumption link in this case, and it aligns with global health guidelines for handling poultry products.

Broader Context and Challenges

The press release also situates this case within the broader context of recent bird flu activity in Andhra Pradesh. Media reports, such as Reuters, indicate eight outbreaks in farms and backyard poultry in March 2025, leading to the culling of 602,000 poultry. These outbreaks, detected in eastern Andhra Pradesh, highlight the ongoing challenge of controlling the virus in poultry populations, which can serve as a reservoir for human transmission.

The lack of direct access to the official press release on government portals, such as ipr.ap.nic.in (Information and Public Relations), suggests potential issues with digital accessibility or archival practices. This is a noted challenge in accessing state-level government communications, especially for time-sensitive public health information. Efforts to explore department-specific sites, like the Commissionerate of Health and Family Welfare cfw.ap.nic.in and Animal Husbandry krishna.ap.gov.in/animal-husbandry/, did not yield the press release, indicating it may be hosted elsewhere or not yet fully digitized.

Table: Summary of Key Press Release Details

Date of Press Release	April 2, 2025
Case Description	Two-year-old girl from Narasaraopeta, Palnadu district, died March 16, 2025, confirmed H5N1 on March 31 by NIV-Pune.
Possible Infection Source	Consumption of raw chicken, no prior local poultry outbreaks.
Family Testing Results	Parents, grandparents, sister tested negative; nasal samples pending April 3.
Response Measures	RRTs deployed for fever surveys, surveillance for two weeks, testing symptomatic persons.
Public Advice	Cook meat and eggs properly to prevent transmission.
Official Statements	No need for alarm, second human death from bird flu in India recently.

Implications and Future Directions

This press release underscores the importance of inter-departmental coordination between health and animal husbandry for zoonotic disease management. The case highlights gaps in poultry surveillance, particularly in areas without reported outbreaks, and the need for public education on safe food practices. Given the global context, with H5N1 cases reported elsewhere, such as Australia in 2024, Andhra Pradesh’s response could serve as a model for other regions, though challenges in digital access to official communications need addressing.

The ongoing surveillance for two weeks, as mentioned, will be critical to ensure no further human cases emerge, especially given the lack of prior outbreaks in Palnadu. Public health officials are likely to monitor poultry markets and farms more closely, potentially expanding testing in affected districts to prevent future incidents.

Conclusion

The Andhra Pradesh government’s press release on April 2, 2025, addresses a significant public health event, detailing the H5N1-related death of a child, response measures, and public safety advice. While direct access to the official document was limited, media reports provide a comprehensive overview, highlighting the complexity of managing zoonotic diseases and the need for robust surveillance and communication strategies.

Key Citations

• India reports eight outbreaks of bird flu in Andhra Pradesh Reuters
• Fatal H5N1 case reported in India's Andhra Pradesh state CIDRAP
• Tragic H5N1 Death Andhra Pradesh Girl Dies After Suspected Raw Chicken Consumption Down To Earth
• Avian flu ten-bed isolation wards arranged at govt general hospitals in Andhra The Hindu
• A P reports first human death owing to H5N1 virus The Hindu

[sharon sanders]

Interesting. I haven't tried to search anything using grok.

We had the initial media report within the 1st 2 hours of April 2 (see post 1). CIDRAP and The Hindu followed about 15 hours later. I was online when tetano posted the first article. I manually searched all over and there were no other reports, except the original source, which I posted. Our linked India poultry thread had the WOAH report a day earlier - dated March 27 link - than Reuters. There was no official report about the child that I could find at 2 am ET. Once I saw the WOAH report I realized that the initial media report about the child death was highly probable and decided to follow through. Also Xed it:

FluTrackers.com
@FluTrackers

India - Media reports #H5N1 avian flu death in a child who ate
piece of raw chicken + contact with domestic/stray dogs.
Possibly 2nd H5N1 death in India. Last one was in 2021 -thread:
media reports, links, WOAH rpt https://flutrackers.com/forum/forum/india/h5n1-tracking-ah/1010923-india-media-reports-2nd-cumulative-human-bird-flu-h5n1-death-in-andhra-pradesh-april-2-2025… h/t tetano, @vinodscaria, Shiloh, Lance

3:27 AM · Apr 2, 2025
·
1,717
Views

----------------------------------------

Unfortunately it is not a new phenomena that we have to access various media reports to ascertain what is going on - and then match them with other data that we have to try to obtain a more complete picture.

Grok might be a useful tool in the future. In this case it backs up our initial findings.

[tetano]

Amid Toddler's Death Due To Bird Flu, Andhra Pradesh Sounds Alert; Central Team Launches Probe





Amaravati: The central medical team probing the death of a two-year-old child due to H5N1 influenza virus (bird flu) has advised AIIMS Mangalagiri to conduct antibody tests among doctors and paramedical staff who had treated her. The team has also recommended testing all children currently admitted in the ICU of the hospital, along with autopsy of the deceased child.

The child, hailing from Narasaraopet of Andhra Pradesh's Palnadu district, died after undergoing treatment for nine days at AIIMS Mangalagiri. The confirmation of H5N1 infection in the child has triggered a state-wide alert and a multi-level investigation.

Scientific Probe Launched by Central Team

A special team formed by the Central government visited AIIMS Mangalagiri on Thursday. The team comprises Dr. Ankur (JD, NCDC), Dr. Nidhi Saini (JD, Microbiology), Dr. Raghavendra (Pulmonologist, AIIMS Mangalagiri), Dr. Vijay (Animal Husbandry Dept. representative), Dr. Shailesh Pawar (Scientist, NIV Pune)

The team inspected the VRDL lab, reviewed sample collection and tested and examined the equipment and response protocols. The team gathered the child's detailed case history from doctors and paramedical staff. The special focus of the investigation has been on:

• Organ-wise complications observed
• The child’s suspected exposure to leptospirosis
• Treatment procedures followed at AIIMS

https://www.etvbharat.com/en/!state/...enn25040402166

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.newindianexpress.com/sta...-mangalagiri-3

Central team flags protocol lapses at AIIMS Mangalagiri
The team recommended testing hospital staff for H5N1 antibodies and reviewing admissions for undetected cases.
Express News Service
Updated on: 04 Apr 2025, 12:40 am


GUNTUR: A central expert team flagged protocol lapses at AIIMS Mangalagiri after a two-year-old girl from Palnadu tested positive for H5N1. Due to ventilator unavailability, she was treated in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) instead of a single-bed isolation ward.

The team recommended testing hospital staff for H5N1 antibodies and reviewing admissions for undetected cases. They also inspected the VRDL lab in Guntur and reviewed medical records.

The girl was admitted on March 4 with fever, cough, and respiratory distress. Initially diagnosed with pneumonia, scrub typhus, and leptospirosis, she tested positive for Influenza A on March 7, but H5N1 was confirmed only on March 31...

[Commonground]

May 1, 2025
First bird flu death in Andhra Pradesh of same clade as first death in Haryana


Visakhapatnam: An analysis of the specimen from the recent fatal bird flu case in Palnadu district by the National Institute of Virology in Pune has revealed that the two-year-old girl, who succumbed to H5N1 infection, was infected with the clade 2.3.2.1a strain.

The investigation further clustered the case with a 2024 travel-associated case from West Bengal. The death of the two-year-old girl from Narasaraopet was the second human death from H5N1 bird flu virus in India.

Notably, India's first bird flu death in Haryana in 2021 was also linked to the same hemagglutinin gene clade, 2.3.2.1a, where a young boy fell victim to the illness. The observed clustering in the Palnadu case indicates that migratory wild birds or other cross-border transmission routes may be facilitating the spread of this lineage, highlighting an intricate network of viral evolution in the region.



NIV-Pune has shared details of the Palnadu case with GISAID (Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data), which monitors influenza virus evolution, transmission patterns, and genomic surveillance worldwide.

-snip-

According to the phylogenetic tree dataset available on GISAID — which compiles genetic sequence records from influenza virus samples collected across various countries and hosts — the clustering observed in the Palnadu case strongly suggests cross-border or migratory bird transmission. The dataset features sequences from diverse geographical locations such as Bangladesh, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Australia, reinforcing concerns about the global movement of the virus.

For instance, several entries in the dataset from domestic avian hosts such as ducks and chickens appear alongside isolates from wild birds, crows, and even non-avian hosts like tigers. This variety in host species not only points to the adaptability of the virus but also elevates its potential for interspecies transmission, posing an increased zoonotic risk not just in Andhra Pradesh, but nationwide.

According to GISAID, limited surveillance of this lineage in India underscores the urgent need for expanded monitoring in poultry and wild birds to assess its spread, evolution, and zoonotic risk. Andhra Pradesh has recorded eight outbreaks of bird flu across the state in 2025, affecting more than 5.4 lakh birds and leaving 6.02 lakh birds susceptible. These outbreaks, which occurred in regions ranging from West Godavari, East Godavari, and Krishna in coastal Andhra Pradesh to Kurnool in Rayalaseema, took place in both large-scale commercial farms and small backyard settings.

While some outbreaks began in mid-January, others were not detected until mid-February. According to experts, this staggered chronology suggests that the virus possibly spread from an initial focal point before seeding new areas through bird movement or lapses in biosecurity, highlighting significant challenges in controlling avian influenza outbreaks.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vijayawada/first-bird-flu-death-in-andhra-pradesh-of-same-clade-as-first-death-in-haryana/articleshowprint/120799838.cms

[sharon sanders]

Please see:


H5N1 Avian Flu: FluTrackers 2016 - Current Global Case List