India’s First Bird Flu Case in Cats Raises Health Concerns Among Humans

Recently India witnessed the resurgence of bird flu in Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh, following which the Central government has urged all states to enhance surveillance and biosecurity protocols at poultry farms. India has reported fresh outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh. In Andhra Pradesh's NTR district, 3,000 broiler birds died in Deeplanagar, with lab tests confirming H5N1. However, now avian flu has been detected in domestic cats, which is a pressing concern. The case was detected at Chihindwara district in Madhya Pradesh, which is emerging as the epicenter. Scientists are now concerned and anxious regarding the capability of the virus to mutate in mammals and its potential risk to humans.

H5N1 virus is primarily an avian virus, but scientists warn that mutations can allow it to infect and replicate in mammals. While human infection remains rare but human to human transmission cannot be ruled out.

Source: ETHealthWorld