Avian Influenza
Context
A high-level brainstorming session on Avian Influenza was convened by the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, focusing on surveillance and vaccination under the One Health approach.
Relevance:
GS-02 (Health)
Key Highlights
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Brainstorming Session: The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying organized a high-level meeting to discuss Avian Influenza. The focus was on improving surveillance and vaccination strategies within the One Health framework.
- Poultry Sector’s Importance: The poultry industry in India is crucial for food security, providing a reliable source of high-quality protein. It plays a significant role in enhancing nutritional security and sustaining livelihoods, especially in rural areas. The sector has witnessed a steady growth rate of 7-10% over the past decade, contributing to trade, exports, and the nation’s economic growth.
- Challenges of HPAI: Recurring outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) have impeded the potential of the poultry sector and affected exports. The HPAI H5 virus is evolving and spreading geographically, posing a pandemic threat, as observed in a recent outbreak in dairy cattle in the USA.
- Surveillance and Migration: The Influenza A/H5 virus spreads through poultry and wild birds along migratory routes, making India’s location crucial for early disease warnings and control. Effective surveillance of migratory birds during the winter season is essential, with a focus on developing low-cost methods for environmental surveillance at various sites.
- Vaccination Challenges: Globally available HPAI vaccines provide partial immunity, reducing disease severity but not entirely preventing infection. Vaccinated birds can still carry and transmit the virus, complicating surveillance and outbreak detection and potentially leading to vaccine-resistant strains. Experts recommend continuing the current strategy of surveillance and culling without vaccination while emphasizing advanced research for better vaccines for both humans and poultry.
- Indigenous Vaccine Development: ICAR-NIHSAD in Bhopal is leading efforts to develop an indigenous vaccine against HPAI. Additionally, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) plans to initiate the development of cell-culture-based vaccines for human use.
Significance
- Food Security: The poultry sector’s contribution to food security and nutritional enhancement is substantial, particularly in rural areas.
- Economic Growth: The steady growth of the poultry industry aids in trade, exports, and overall economic development.
- Pandemic Threat: The evolving HPAI H5 virus poses a significant pandemic threat, necessitating robust surveillance and control measures.
- One Health Approach: Integrating the One Health approach emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health in tackling Avian Influenza.
Way Forward
- Enhanced Surveillance: Strengthening surveillance of migratory birds and developing cost-effective environmental monitoring methods are crucial.
- Research and Development: Continued emphasis on advanced research for developing better vaccines for both humans and poultry is essential.
- Current Strategy: Maintaining the strategy of surveillance and culling without vaccination, while exploring improved vaccination options, is recommended.
- Indigenous Vaccine Efforts: Supporting initiatives like those by ICAR-NIHSAD and ICMR for developing indigenous vaccines will be key in mitigating the impact of HPAI.
