Odisha 2nd after Chhattisgarh to report Avian Flu Outbreak

Bhubaneswar:  Odisha becomes the second state after Chhattisgarh to record an outbreak of avian flu cases in the country in year 2020.

Significantly, in the first week of January, the neighbouring state has reported death of over 5,600 birds at a poultry farm in Baikunthpur. And on Monday, OUAT (Orissa University of Agriculture Technology) confirmed outbreak of Bird Flu in Odisha as nearly 1500 birds on a farm of OUAT have died during the last fortnight.

Does the outbreak makes human vulnerable? As per WHO, human infections are primarily acquired through direct contact with infected birds (poultry here) or contaminated environments. But it doesn't result in efficient transmission of these viruses between people.

Only direct contact with infected poultry, or with surfaces and objects contaminated by their droppings, is the main route of transmission to humans, says WHO and added that exposure risk is considered highest when there is contact with infected avian faecal material in the environment, especially during slaughter, de-feathering, butchering and preparation of poultry for cooking.

For which, mass culling of poultry is being carried in an area of around 1 km from the disease hub, which started today in the Capital City.

What is Avian Influenza or Bird Flu? There are three serotypes of influenza virus namely, Influenza virus A, B and C. Influenza type A is further classified into various subtypes on the basis of the surface glycoproteins Hemagglutinin (HA) and Neuraminidase (NA) e.g. H1N1, H3N2, H5N1 etc.

While H1N1 infects pigs and is known as Swine Flu, H5N1 is known as Avian Flu. Another rare subtype of Avian Flu found is H7N1, which was noticed in a 7-year old boy in Mumbai in 2017-18. The peak period for all influenza is January - March and August - September.

Symptoms of Avian Flu in birds/poultry: Consult your Vet if a decreased egg production is noticed or if they lay soft-shelled or misshapen eggs or sudden deaths without any signs etc.

Symptoms in Human: early signs are fever, cough, conjunctivitis (infection of eyes), muscle aches and sore throat. Later it may lead to pneumonia, and acute respiratory distress.

As per data available with the State Health Department, Odisha didn't report any bird flu case in humans in 2019. However, data shows 206 people in Odisha had seasonal influenza infection in 2019, and the mortality has been only one. Data till January 15, 2020 shows only a single seasonal influenza case recorded in the State.