Amid recent outbreaks of avian influenza (bird flu) in the country, the government has mandated the registration of all poultry farms within a month to improve disease tracking and control. Poultry farms are also required to strictly adhere to hygiene practices, control access, and implement rigorous biosecurity measures to minimize infection risks.
Bird flu is a highly contagious viral disease affecting birds, with occasional transmission to mammals. Since its detection in India in 2006, outbreaks have occurred annually in various states. Currently, six active outbreak zones are identified in Jharkhand, Telangana, and Chhattisgarh. This year, the virus has shown the ability to cross species barriers, impacting poultry, wild birds, and even big cats in some regions.
During a stakeholder meeting, Alka Upadhyaya, secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD), stated, “Safeguarding our poultry sector is vital for food security and rural livelihoods. Strict biosecurity, scientific surveillance, and responsible practices are essential in combating bird flu.”
To control the disease, the DAHD has approved the use of the H9N2 (Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza) vaccine, developed by ICAR-NIHSAD in Bhopal, which is now commercially available. A national study will assess the vaccine’s effectiveness for LPAI vaccination.
During discussions, poultry industry representatives urged the government to consider vaccination as a strategy to mitigate economic losses. However, scientific experts noted that currently available Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) vaccines do not provide complete immunity but only reduce virus shedding.
Given the complexities, it was agreed that further scientific evaluation is necessary before making a policy decision. The meeting recommended conducting thorough, science-based assessments to evaluate the feasibility of HPAI vaccination in India.
Additionally, Upadhyaya emphasized the need for a predictive modeling system for early warning and environmental surveillance to facilitate proactive disease detection and response, thus minimizing outbreak risks and protecting the poultry industry.
India follows a test-and-cull policy to manage avian influenza outbreaks. Under the Livestock Health and Disease Control Scheme, the government compensates affected farmers for culled birds, destroyed eggs, and feed, sharing costs equally between the Centre and states.
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