An overview on recent bird flu outbreak in India

Abstract

Bird flu has spread across ten states, and over thousands of birds found dead across India. Maharashtra, Delhi, Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand are the states where it has been confirmed till 18.01.20. It is a highly contagious viral disease caused by Influenza viruses which generally affects poultry birds such as chickens and turkeys.
Wild aquatic birds such as ducks and geese are the natural reservoir of Influenza viruses and the central players in the ecology of these viruses. From water birds, many of whom migrate and travel long distances, the viruses are thus further spread to poultry and terrestrial birds. Among poultry birds, vaccination strategies can curtail the virus attack, massive culling is done to prevent spread of the disease.
The CZA (Central Zoo Authority) issued a memorandum saying avian influenza is a scheduled disease under the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act 2009. The review paper focuses on the scare of the avian influenza and prevention strategies to curtail the spread of the diseases. It is hoped that this paper will provoke constructive bioethical deliberations, on how to ensure that the obligations towards health are fulfilled ethically and more effectively.