Action Plan of Animal Husbandry for Preparedness, Control and Containment of Avian Influenza (March,2015) (PDF)
Action Plan for Prevention, Control & Containment of Avian Influenza
(Revised ? 2015)
Introduction
Avian influenza (AI), as per World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), is defined as an
infection of poultry caused by any influenza A virus of the H5 or H7 subtypes or by any
influenza A virus with an intravenous pathogenicity index (IVPI) greater than 1.2 (or as an
alternative at least 75% mortality) as described below. These viruses are divided into high
pathogenicity avian influenza viruses and low pathogenicity avian influenza viruses:
a. High pathogenicity avian influenza viruses have an IVPI in six-week-old chickens
greater than 1.2 or, as an alternative, cause at least 75% mortality in four-to
eight-week-old chickens infected intravenously. H5 and H7 viruses which do not
have an IVPI of greater than 1.2 or cause less than 75% mortality in an
intravenous lethality test should be sequenced to determine whether multiple
basic amino acids are present at the cleavage site of the haemagglutinin
molecule (HA0); if the amino acid motif is similar to that observed for other high
pathogenicity avian influenza isolates, the isolate being tested should be
considered as high pathogenicity avian influenza virus;
b. Low pathogenicity avian influenza viruses are all influenza A viruses of H5 and
H7 subtypes that are not high pathogenicity avian influenza viruses.
Avian Influenza (AI) viruses have been circulating worldwide for centuries with four known
outbreaks recorded in the last century. The present wave of highly pathogenic avian influenza
(HPAI) emerged in Hong Kong in 1997. India notified the first outbreak of avian influenza on
18th February, 2006. Since then, outbreaks have been reported in Maharashtra, Gujarat,
Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, West Bengal, Tripura, Assam, Sikkim, Odisha, Meghalaya,
Karnataka, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Kerala and Chandigarh.
In view of a threat of global outbreak of AI and apprehensions of a human pandemic, the
Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries (DADF), Government of India had
prepared an action plan in 2005 which was revised in 2006 and lately in 2012 for guidance of
State Government for prevention, control and containment of Avian Influenza in the Country.
The action plan further been updated based on the further experience gained and lessons
learnt from the past occurrences and the contemporary scientific information.
The Action Plan is comprised of four chapters. Chapter I, advises the states/ UTs on
preparedness against AI outbreaks. Chapter II, indicates the actions to be taken if an
outbreak of AI is suspected. Chapter III, describes the actions during an outbreak of the
disease, and Chapter IV, identifies persons who will handle Avian Influenza (AI) infected
poultry and advises on biosafety and biosecurity measures.
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