Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Apr 5: In a move aimed at curbing the ongoing H5N1 avian influenza outbreaks across several states, the Union animal husbandry ministry’s Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) on Friday announced mandatory registration for all poultry farms within a month.

This directive forms part of a ‘three-pronged strategy’ to combat the spread of the virus, which has been detected at 34 epicentres across eight states Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand.

A high-level meeting chaired by DAHD secretary Alka Upadhyaya was held at Krishi Bhavan on Friday evening. The meeting was attended by poultry industry representatives, Indian Council of Agricultural Research officials, and other stakeholders to discuss urgent measures to contain the disease.

“All poultry farms must register with their respective state animal husbandry departments within a month,” an official present at the meeting said.

Though H5N1 primarily affects birds, officials confirmed less than 10 mammal infections in India so far. These include three tigers, one leopard, three domestic cats, and a migratory bird in Rajasthan. The first mammal case this year was reported in a tiger at a Nagpur rescue centre on January 1, and the latest in a wild cat in Goa in March.

A recent case involving the death of a two-year-old girl in Andhra Pradesh, allegedly after consuming raw chicken, has raised further concerns about possible interspecies transmission. However, no evidence of human-to-human transmission has been documented globally so far.

DAHD outlined three key components in its containment strategy:

1. Strict biosecurity measures at farms, including enhanced hygiene, restricted access, and adherence to protocols.
2. Mandatory registration of all poultry farms to boost surveillance and ensure 100% compliance.
3. Enhanced monitoring and rapid response to contain and track outbreaks more efficiently.

“Protecting our poultry sector is critical for food security and rural livelihoods,” said Upadhyaya. “We need strict biosecurity, scientific surveillance, and responsible industry practices to prevent future outbreaks.”

She further emphasized the development of a predictive modelling system to issue early warnings and conduct environmental surveillance.

Officials added that discussions on launching an HPAI (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza) vaccine are underway, but no decision has been finalized.

Consumers have been advised that well-cooked poultry products are safe for consumption, as the virus is inactivated at temperatures above 70°C. The public has also been cautioned against handling dead or sick birds without protective equipment.