H5N1 flu confirmed in Chennai: What is it, and can it spread to humans?
An advisory has been issued to the public as health authorities move quickly to contain the outbreak and prevent further transmission.
Several hundred crows were found dead across Chennai on Friday, with laboratory tests confirming the presence of the H5N1 virus, signalling the spread of avian influenza in the region.
An advisory has been issued to the public as health authorities move quickly to contain the outbreak and prevent further transmission.
Authorities have directed that all carcasses of crows and poultry be either incinerated or deeply buried according to biosecurity protocols. Residents have been strictly advised not to touch or handle dead birds and to immediately inform local officials about any new sightings.
The Union Ministry of Animal Husbandry has also written to the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary, calling for intensified surveillance and rapid response measures.
WHAT IS H5N1?
H5N1 is a highly pathogenic strain of the influenza A virus, commonly known as bird flu. It primarily infects birds, including poultry such as chickens and ducks, as well as wild birds like crows and migratory species.
The virus spreads through saliva, nasal secretions, droppings, and contaminated surfaces or water sources.
Outbreaks of H5N1 can devastate bird populations because the virus often causes severe disease and high mortality rates.
This is why governments typically enforce strict containment steps such as culling infected poultry, restricting movement of birds, and sanitising affected areas.
CAN H5N1 VIRUS JUMP TO HUMANS?
The H5N1 virus spreads primarily through direct contact with infected birds, their droppings, saliva, nasal secretions, or contaminated surfaces such as soil, cages, feed, and water.
Wild birds, especially migratory species, often act as natural carriers, transmitting the virus to domestic poultry populations. Once introduced into farms or dense bird habitats, the infection can spread rapidly through close contact.
In rare cases, humans can become infected through prolonged exposure to infected birds or contaminated environments, particularly in poultry farms or live-bird markets.
However, sustained human-to-human transmission of H5N1 remains extremely uncommon, which is why controlling outbreaks in birds is the most important step in preventing wider spread.
HOW DEADLY IS H5N1 VIRUS?
Among birds, H5N1 is considered extremely lethal, with mortality rates in infected poultry flocks often approaching 90–100 percent. In humans, infections are rare but can be serious.
Most human cases worldwide have occurred after prolonged or close contact with infected birds, particularly in farm settings.
According to global health data from past outbreaks, H5N1 has a high fatality rate among confirmed human infections compared to seasonal flu viruses.
However, it does not spread easily from person to person, which significantly reduces the risk of large-scale human outbreaks.
SHOULD INDIA BE WORRIED ABOUT H5N1 VIRUS?
Public health experts say vigilance is necessary, but panic is not. India has experienced sporadic bird-flu outbreaks before, mostly contained through surveillance and rapid response by animal-health authorities.
The current advisory in Chennai reflects a precautionary approach aimed at stopping the virus from spreading among birds and preventing possible human exposure.
For the general public, the risk remains low as long as basic precautions are followed, avoiding contact with dead birds, consuming properly cooked poultry and eggs, and reporting unusual bird deaths to authorities.
While H5N1 remains primarily an animal-health concern, swift containment efforts and public awareness will be key to ensuring it does not escalate into a broader health crisis in India.
Several hundred crows were found dead across Chennai on Friday, with laboratory tests confirming the presence of the H5N1 virus, signalling the spread of avian influenza in the region.
An advisory has been issued to the public as health authorities move quickly to contain the outbreak and prevent further transmission.
Authorities have directed that all carcasses of crows and poultry be either incinerated or deeply buried according to biosecurity protocols. Residents have been strictly advised not to touch or handle dead birds and to immediately inform local officials about any new sightings.
The Union Ministry of Animal Husbandry has also written to the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary, calling for intensified surveillance and rapid response measures.
WHAT IS H5N1?
H5N1 is a highly pathogenic strain of the influenza A virus, commonly known as bird flu. It primarily infects birds, including poultry such as chickens and ducks, as well as wild birds like crows and migratory species.
The virus spreads through saliva, nasal secretions, droppings, and contaminated surfaces or water sources.
Outbreaks of H5N1 can devastate bird populations because the virus often causes severe disease and high mortality rates.
This is why governments typically enforce strict containment steps such as culling infected poultry, restricting movement of birds, and sanitising affected areas.
CAN H5N1 VIRUS JUMP TO HUMANS?
The H5N1 virus spreads primarily through direct contact with infected birds, their droppings, saliva, nasal secretions, or contaminated surfaces such as soil, cages, feed, and water.
Wild birds, especially migratory species, often act as natural carriers, transmitting the virus to domestic poultry populations. Once introduced into farms or dense bird habitats, the infection can spread rapidly through close contact.
In rare cases, humans can become infected through prolonged exposure to infected birds or contaminated environments, particularly in poultry farms or live-bird markets.
However, sustained human-to-human transmission of H5N1 remains extremely uncommon, which is why controlling outbreaks in birds is the most important step in preventing wider spread.
HOW DEADLY IS H5N1 VIRUS?
Among birds, H5N1 is considered extremely lethal, with mortality rates in infected poultry flocks often approaching 90–100 percent. In humans, infections are rare but can be serious.
Most human cases worldwide have occurred after prolonged or close contact with infected birds, particularly in farm settings.
According to global health data from past outbreaks, H5N1 has a high fatality rate among confirmed human infections compared to seasonal flu viruses.
However, it does not spread easily from person to person, which significantly reduces the risk of large-scale human outbreaks.
SHOULD INDIA BE WORRIED ABOUT H5N1 VIRUS?
Public health experts say vigilance is necessary, but panic is not. India has experienced sporadic bird-flu outbreaks before, mostly contained through surveillance and rapid response by animal-health authorities.
The current advisory in Chennai reflects a precautionary approach aimed at stopping the virus from spreading among birds and preventing possible human exposure.
For the general public, the risk remains low as long as basic precautions are followed, avoiding contact with dead birds, consuming properly cooked poultry and eggs, and reporting unusual bird deaths to authorities.
While H5N1 remains primarily an animal-health concern, swift containment efforts and public awareness will be key to ensuring it does not escalate into a broader health crisis in India.