Avian influenza: Strain found in samples at Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh

Context

Strain of Avian influenza (Bird Flu) has been found in samples at Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh.

What is Avian influenza?

• It is an infection caused in birds by the Type A viruses, mostly found in wild aquatic or wild birds.
• The virus can infect birds including domestic poultry like chicken, ducks, turkeys and geese, and animals.
• The H5N1 virus is the most common type of avian flu, which is not only dangerous for the species, but can also affect animals and humans who get exposed to the carrier.
• Transmission: The virus is transmitted when a domestic bird comes in contact with the waterfowl or another infected bird or through a virus-contaminated surface.
  • The virus can spread from the faeces, secretion from nose, mouth and eyes of an infected bird.

The disease record in India

• The country was declared free from avian influenza in July 2015 after completion of disinfection and post operation surveillance.
• The H5N8 strain of avian influenza outbreaks have been reported from 2010 in Asia and was first found in domestic ducks in China.

Does the flu affect humans?

• The two strains that can infect humans in the past are H5N1 and H7N9.
• The disease, however, when transmitted to humans (through the droppings, and secretions of an infected bird) can be dangerous in nature.