Consultant image (ETV Bharat)
New Delhi: The World Well being Group’s (WHO) newest attraction for Asia-Pacific nations to strengthen preparedness towards extremely pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1), assumes added significance for India, which is concurrently reporting recurring chicken flu outbreaks and witnessing a surge in seasonal influenza A (H1N1) circumstances.
Over 150 influenza consultants, laboratory scientists and public well being officers participated within the just lately held nineteenth Biregional Assembly of Nationwide Influenza Centres and Influenza Surveillance, collectively organised by WHO’s Southeast Asia and Western Pacific regional workplaces, from August 25 to August 27. The assembly examined methods to transform surveillance information into quicker public well being selections, amid the persevering with unfold of H5N1 amongst birds, and the potential for animal-to-human spillover.
Concern For India
For India, the priority shouldn’t be merely theoretical. Avian flu outbreaks have been reported in poultry and different birds up to now. The Central authorities had reported avian influenza outbreaks in 2024 and 2025. Extra just lately, 11 H5N1 outbreaks have been reported in poultry farms in Kerala, involving the deaths of over 54,000 birds, with 1000’s extra culled as a precaution.
The chance of H5N1 to the overall inhabitants stays low, however India’s current historical past exhibits why sustained surveillance is important. In line with WHO information, between 2020-2024, India reported one dying, and two deaths in 2025, because of the avian influenza A(H5N1).
Genetic evaluation indicated the virus belonged to clade 2.3.2.1a, a lineage circulating within the area. Nonetheless, no confirmed human H5N1 case has been reported from India up to now in 2026.
Laboratory Networks, Early-Warning Programs
Public well being consultants say the simultaneous expertise of seasonal influenza and recurring avian outbreaks demonstrates the significance of sturdy laboratory networks and early-warning techniques.
“First, we have to perceive what H5N1, often known as “avian influenza” or “chicken flu”, is? It’s a subtype of influenza virus that infects birds and mammals, together with people in uncommon cases. Infections in people is generally linked to shut contact with contaminated birds and different animals and contaminated environments. This virus doesn’t seem to transmit simply from individual to individual, and sustained human-to-human transmission has not been reported,” stated Dr Manali Agarwal, infectious illness skilled and medical microbiologist, to ETV Bharat on Saturday.
Dr Manali Agarwal (ETV Bharat)
In line with Dr Agarwal, most human H5N1 circumstances are related to the direct dealing with of contaminated poultry, slaughtering or making ready sick poultry for consumption, consumption of raw poultry merchandise like uncooked blood, or shut contact with reside poultry. In bird-to-human transmission, the doubtless entry portal for the virus is through the respiratory tract, the gastrointestinal tract, or the conjunctiva.
“Most sufferers with influenza H5N1 virus current with signs of fever, cough, and shortness of breath and radiological proof of pneumonia. Continuously occurring non respiratory signs embrace diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach ache. Surveillance and testing are essential to grasp which influenza viruses are circulating and their impact on human well being. That is vital for pandemic preparedness and for cover of residents,” Dr Agarwal, Ex-AIIMS, Delhi stated.
The WHO has confused that efficient One Well being coordination — linking human, animal and environmental well being authorities — is vital to detecting zoonotic threats earlier than they unfold additional. The organisation additionally famous that sustained human-to-human transmission of H5N1 has not been reported, however influenza viruses can evolve, making continued monitoring essential.
H5N1: A Warning About A Completely different Influenza Risk
Speaking to ETV Bharat, one other famend well being skilled and previous president of Asian Society of Emergency Drugs Dr Tamorish Kole stated the decision given by the worldwide well being watchdog needs to be seen not as a response to the H1N1 scenario, however as a warning a few completely different influenza menace.
“H1N1 is a seasonal human influenza virus that spreads effectively from individual to individual, whereas H5N1 is primarily an avian influenza virus that may sometimes spill over into people from contaminated birds or contaminated environments. For India, that is significantly essential due to its giant poultry sector, yard poultry, live-bird markets, migratory-bird pathways and frequent human–animal interfaces,” stated Dr Kole.
Dr Tamorish Kole (ETV Bharat)
H5N1 has already been detected in Indian birds, together with the extremely pathogenic clade 2.3.4.4b viruses, creating alternatives for human publicity and, probably, viral adaptation.
“The simultaneous presence of H1N1 due to this fact makes influenza surveillance extra essential, not much less, with hospitals and laboratories needing to differentiate routine seasonal influenza from uncommon influenza A infections. India ought to proceed strengthening a One Well being strategy, integrating human, veterinary and environmental surveillance in order that any zoonotic transmission is detected early and contained earlier than sustained human-to-human transmission can emerge,” Dr Kole acknowledged.
Laboratory-Confirmed Human H5N1 Infections
Referring to the 2 earlier H5N1 infections in India, Dr Kole stated, “India has recorded three laboratory-confirmed human H5N1 infections since 2003, and all three have been deadly. The primary was a toddler in Haryana in 2021 who developed extreme respiratory sickness and Acute Respiratory Misery Syndrome (ARDS) and died, whereas two additional deadly human infections have been reported in 2025. Though the variety of circumstances stays extraordinarily small, the excessive severity of documented H5N1 an infection is a severe concern.”
Globally, WHO has reported lots of of confirmed human infections with a traditionally excessive case-fatality proportion, though this shouldn’t be interpreted because the anticipated fatality fee in a future widespread outbreak, he stated.
“Importantly, there’s presently no proof of sustained human-to-human transmission, and the general public-health danger stays low. The priority is due to this fact not that India is going through an H5N1 pandemic at the moment, however that each human an infection offers a possibility for the virus to adapt or purchase mutations that would alter its transmissibility; the three deadly circumstances ought to consequently be thought to be a powerful surveillance and preparedness sign, not a cause for public panic,” added Dr Kole.
On the WHO regional assembly, India showcased how integrating influenza surveillance with the Built-in Well being Info Platform (IHIP) offers near-real-time information for evaluation and visualisation, supporting quicker detection of influenza developments and outbreaks.
As India offers with H1N1 whereas persevering with to observe H5N1 outbreaks in birds, consultants say surveillance techniques should be sure that an uncommon influenza sign is quickly recognized, investigated and acted upon.
Additionally Learn:
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- Hyderabad Hospitals Report Rise In Viral Fevers Amid Monsoon; Doctors Warn Against Self-Medicating With Antibiotics
- Delhi H1N1 Surge: Cases To Dip Post-Monsoon, Says Health Minister Dr Pankaj Kumar Singh
- Delhi: Swine Flu Cases On The Rise, High-level Meeting To Take Stock
