Hyderabad: As bird flu concerns rise globally, with 28 poultry workers having contracted the virus since 2021, India has, so far, remained free from human infections. However, amid heightened worries, especially in Telangana, which is home to a vast poultry industry, questions loom about why such vigilance persists when no human cases have been reported.
Recent data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) reveals that only 28 poultry workers worldwide have contracted the virus from birds in the past four years. This comes even as the Andhra Pradesh govt has strongly refuted claims of any human cases.
Telangana, home to over 6,000 poultry farms and around 90 million birds, has seen an increase in vigilance due to the threat of bird flu. But why the widespread concern in the absence of human infections? The answer lies in the historical context of past influenza pandemics, particularly in countries like India, where human-to-human outbreaks of flu have led to significant fatalities.
As one official source explained, “If the virus were to mutate and spread from animals to humans, then between humans, it could lead to a devastating pandemic. To prevent that, we maintain strict isolation measures in poultry farms.” This precautionary approach is in line with global practices, as seen in the United States, where bird flu outbreaks have recently led to rising egg prices and heightened concerns.
The WHO has emphasised that while human-to-human transmission of avian influenza has occurred in limited instances, it has not yet led to widespread transmission. According to their latest update, of the 28 human cases reported, no case of sustained human-to-human transmission has been identified.
Despite the global concerns, WHO assures that properly cooked meat and eggs remain safe to consume. However, it warns against eating raw or undercooked poultry products from areas affected by bird flu. This caution extends to the Indian context as well.
In India, there have been no confirmed cases of cattle carrying the virus, though a leopard in Nagpur tested positive months ago, prompting biosafety measures in the area. Telangana, which experienced a devastating bird flu outbreak in 2015, resulting in over 1,00,000 bird deaths, has since maintained regular bird surveillance. While no major outbreaks have occurred since then, authorities remain vigilant, especially when neighbouring states report new cases.
For commercial and backyard poultry owners, the govt has recommended biosafety measures, and a dedicated call centre has been set up for farmers to report concerns. Market experts said with the virus posing potential risks to both animals and humans, authorities are taking no chances, in the wake of the devastating impact of past influenza outbreaks in the country.
Recent data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) reveals that only 28 poultry workers worldwide have contracted the virus from birds in the past four years. This comes even as the Andhra Pradesh govt has strongly refuted claims of any human cases.
Telangana, home to over 6,000 poultry farms and around 90 million birds, has seen an increase in vigilance due to the threat of bird flu. But why the widespread concern in the absence of human infections? The answer lies in the historical context of past influenza pandemics, particularly in countries like India, where human-to-human outbreaks of flu have led to significant fatalities.
As one official source explained, “If the virus were to mutate and spread from animals to humans, then between humans, it could lead to a devastating pandemic. To prevent that, we maintain strict isolation measures in poultry farms.” This precautionary approach is in line with global practices, as seen in the United States, where bird flu outbreaks have recently led to rising egg prices and heightened concerns.
The WHO has emphasised that while human-to-human transmission of avian influenza has occurred in limited instances, it has not yet led to widespread transmission. According to their latest update, of the 28 human cases reported, no case of sustained human-to-human transmission has been identified.
Despite the global concerns, WHO assures that properly cooked meat and eggs remain safe to consume. However, it warns against eating raw or undercooked poultry products from areas affected by bird flu. This caution extends to the Indian context as well.
In India, there have been no confirmed cases of cattle carrying the virus, though a leopard in Nagpur tested positive months ago, prompting biosafety measures in the area. Telangana, which experienced a devastating bird flu outbreak in 2015, resulting in over 1,00,000 bird deaths, has since maintained regular bird surveillance. While no major outbreaks have occurred since then, authorities remain vigilant, especially when neighbouring states report new cases.
For commercial and backyard poultry owners, the govt has recommended biosafety measures, and a dedicated call centre has been set up for farmers to report concerns. Market experts said with the virus posing potential risks to both animals and humans, authorities are taking no chances, in the wake of the devastating impact of past influenza outbreaks in the country.
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