10: Advisory Issued After Detection of H5N1 Avian Influenza

• Detection in Urban Centers: In early February 2026, the H5N1 virus (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza) was confirmed in crow samples in Chennai and parts of Kerala, prompting the Union and State governments to issue immediate health advisories. • Zoonotic Risk Management: While human transmission remains rare and typically occurs through direct contact with infected carcasses, authorities have warned poultry handlers and slaughterhouse workers to use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).• Biosecurity Protocols: The advisory mandates \'deep burial\' of bird carcasses with lime powder, restriction of bird movements in affected zones, and rigorous disinfection of live-bird markets to prevent \'spillover\' to the commercial poultry sector. • \'One Health\' Framework: The government has operationalized the National One Health Mission, integrating human, animal, and environmental surveillance data to monitor the virus\'s evolution and potential mutation. • Public Hygiene Mandates: Citizens are advised to avoid raw or undercooked poultry products and report unusual bird mortality (like \'falling birds\') to the Animal Husbandry Department via dedicated helplines. • Global Context: The outbreak coincides with migratory bird patterns, highlighting the role of the Central Asian Flyway in transporting viruses across borders, necessitating international coordination via the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). Key Definitions & Provisions • Zoonotic Disease: An infectious disease caused by a pathogen that has jumped from an animal to a human (e.g., Bird Flu, Rabies, COVID-19). • H5N1: A subtype of the Influenza A virus which is highly contagious among birds and has a high mortality rate in poultry; designated as \'Highly Pathogenic\' (HPAI). • One Health Approach: A collaborative, multisectoral, and transdisciplinary approach—working at the local, regional, national, and global levels—with the goal of achieving optimal health outcomes recognizing the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment. Conclusion The recurring detection of H5N1 underscores the vulnerability of India’s urban and rural ecosystems to emerging pathogens. Strengthening grassroots-level \'integrated surveillance\' is the only sustainable defense against future zoonotic pandemics. UPSC Relevance • GS Paper 3: Science and Technology- Health; Disaster Management; Biodiversity (Migratory species). • GS Paper 2: Governance; Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Health.