Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses, H5N1 and H5N8, have been one of the leading causes of avian diseases worldwide, resulting in severe economic losses and posing potential zoonotic risk. The viruses are known to cause infections in humans with a history of close contact with infected poultry, resulting in mild-to-severe respiratory disease and even fatality. Now, a study has shed more light on outbreaks of HPAI in India.
According to the latest research paper “Spatio-temporal distribution and seasonality of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 and H5N8 outbreaks in India, 2006-2021”, published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research, a total of 284 H5N1 outbreaks were reported since 2006 with a surge in 2021. The initial outbreaks of H5N1 were predominantly in poultry. Similarly, since 2016, 57 outbreaks of H5N8 were also reported, predominantly in wild birds.
It further noted that most of the outbreaks of HPAI were reported between post-monsoon and pre-summer season (i.e. between October and March), with their peak in January, during winter.
