India: High alert on MP-Chhattisgarh border as bird flu kills 35 crows in eight days

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Source: https://www.newindianexpress.com/nat...-in-eight-days

High alert on MP-Chhattisgarh border as bird flu kills 35 crows in eight days
The current bird flu outbreak among animals began about a month and a half after avian influenza was reported to have infected and killed cats and poultry in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district.
Express News Service
Updated on:
12 Apr 2025, 10:23 am

BHOPAL: High alert has been sounded on the Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh border in the wake of a bird flu outbreak among wild crows in Jhik Bijuri area of the central Indian state’s Shahdol district.

At least 35 wild crows have died since April 2 in a radius of 1.5 km in Jhik Bijuri area, which is around 110 km from MP’s Shahdol district headquarters and just 5-7 km from the Koriya district of Chhattisgarh.

The sudden deaths of crows started on April 2 in the area, prompting the authorities in Shahdol district to send samples of crows (two dead crows) to ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases in Bhopal.

On April 8, the institute confirmed the presence of the bird flu (avian influenza) causing H5N1 influenza virus. All the 35 crows who have died since have been buried adequately in pursuance with the necessary safety protocols...

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Bird Flu Alarm in Shahdol - 150 Screened
April 13, 2025

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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...test%20results.

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India Intensifies Efforts to Combat Avian Influenza Outbreaks

April 14, 2025

The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD) convened a high-level meeting on April 4th, 2025, to address the escalating Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) outbreaks across the country. The meeting, chaired by Secretary DAHD brought together experts, industry representatives, and policymakers to strategize containment and prevention measures. This press release was issued on April 5, 2025.

DAHD, in collaboration with stakeholders, has adopted a comprehensive three-pronged strategy:

1. Poultry farms are mandated to enhance hygiene practices, restrict access, and implement stringent biosecurity protocols.
2. Enhanced disease tracking and control through rigorous surveillance.
3. All poultry farms must register with state animal husbandry departments within one month, with the government urging 100% compliance.

Key Initiatives and Statements

Secretary DAHD has emphasized the critical importance of protecting the poultry sector for food security and rural livelihoods, stressing the need for strict biosecurity, scientific surveillance, and responsible industry practices.

The DAHD is developing a predictive modeling system for early warning and environmental surveillance to enable proactive disease detection and response.

The H9N2 (Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza) vaccine, developed by ICAR-NIHSAD, Bhopal, has been commercially approved. A national study will evaluate its effectiveness.

The possibility of using a vaccine against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) was extensively discussed, with a consensus on the need for further scientific evaluation before policy decisions are made.

Research has begun to develop an indigenous HPAI vaccine, adhering to global best practices.

Current Avian Influenza Situation in India

Avian Influenza has affected domestic poultry in eight states: Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Bihar, with 34 total epicenters and 6 active ones.

The virus has shown cross-species transmission, impacting wild birds and mammals, including tigers, leopards, and domestic cats.

Currently active outbreaks are in Jharkhand, Telangana, and Chhattisgarh.

https://www.legalitysimplified.com/i...nza-outbreaks/