First Human Case Of Bird Flu Detected In Odisha; Symptoms And Prevention

Amid the outbreak of avian influenza (H5N1) or commonly known as bird flu in Odisha, the state has also reported its first human case of bird flu. According to Dr Mukesh Mahaling, state health minister, the case was found in the Mangalpur Community Health Centre (CHC) of Puri district.

This is also where the first cases of the mass chicken deaths at a local poultry farm was detected with over 5,000 chickens already culled. The state plans to cull up to 20,000 birds with in a 1km radius of the infected farm. The affected areas include Pipili and Satabadi blocks, which are currently being observed closely.

The health department has established a surveillance zone with in the same radius and a secondary surveillance from 1km to 10km around the affected area. ASHA workers are also conducting door-to-door awareness campaigns along with distributing the Tamiflu medicines and N95 masks to contain the situation.

"The health department intensified its monitoring efforts. Surveillance and preparedness activities are being rigorously conducted in the Pipili and Satyabadi blocks of Puri district, where the ongoing H5N1 outbreak is under close observation. A primary surveillance zone has been established within 1 Km radius, with a secondary layer of surveillance extending from 1 Km to 10 Km. Our department is fully prepared, with ASHA workers conducting door-to-door awareness campaigns and distributing Tamiflu medicine to those in need. N95 masks are also being distributed as part of the containment strategy. The government remains vigilant, with close coordination between the health and animal husbandry departments. To date, approximately 25,000 birds have been culled as part of the containment measures," said Dr Mahaling.

This is the third human infection of bird flu from India, the first cases were reported in 2019 and another from June this year.

It refers to a disease caused by birds who are infected by the avian influenza Type A viruses. H5N1 is a highly pathogenic virus that can cause severe illness in humans, whereas the H9N2 is a variant of avian influenza that can occasionally infect humans. The person detected bird flu has the H9N2 variant.

Bird flu viruses do not infect humans as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, human infections with bird flu have occurred. The CDC adds that there is yet no evidence of a human-to-human transmission of the avian influenza virus.

"Human infections with avian influenza viruses can happen when virus gets into a person’s eyes, nose or mouth, or is inhaled," says the CDC.

The symptoms range from mild such as eye infections, upper respiratory symptoms to severe, including illness, pneumonia that can result to death.

Other symptoms include conjunctivitis, sore throat, headache, runny nose, and muscle and body aches.

The CDC recommends avoiding contact with surfaces that are animal faeces, raw milk, litter, or materials contaminated by birds or any other animals. Consuming uncooked or raw bird meat.