Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

• The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has approved the country’s self-declaration of freedom from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu, in specific poultry compartments (approved farms) in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.
• The approval to this self-declaration is expected to open up new opportunities for Indian poultry in the global market, contributing to the country’s economic growth.
• Status- India is currently the third-largest producer of eggs (130 billion) and the fifth-largest producer of poultry meat (4.5 million tonnes) in the world.

ABOUT HPAI

• Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu, was first detected in India in Maharashtra in February 2006.
  • Since then, the country has experienced annual outbreaks of HPAI in different regions, leading to substantial losses.
• Person-to-person spread of bird flu is not common.
• Those who work in close contact with infected live or dead poultry or contaminated environments are at risk.
• 4 strains have mainly caused concern i.e., H5N1, H7N9, H5N6 and H5N8.
• H1N1 flu, sometimes called swine flu, is a type of influenza A virus.

 COUNTER MEASURES BY INDIA

• India’s approach to controlling HPAI follows a “detect and cull” policy as outlined in the National Action Plan for Prevention, Control, and Containment of Avian Influenza (revised – 2021).
• India has also taken a proactive approach to mitigate the risks associated with HPAI by adopting the concept of poultry compartmentalization.
  • Compartmentalization is a crucial tool that enhances animal health, reduces the risk of disease outbreaks within and outside the compartment, and facilitates the trade of poultry and poultry-related products.

ABOUT WOAH

• It is an intergovernmental organization with focus on transparently disseminating information on animal diseases, improving animal health globally and thus builds a safer, healthier and more sustainable world.
• Founded in 1924 as the Office International des Epizooties (OIE), in May 2003 it adopted the common name World Organisation for Animal Health.
• Headquarters– Paris, France.