High-Level Brainstorming Session on Avian Influenza

Source- This post on the High-Level Brainstorming Session on Avian Influenza  has been created based on the article “A High-Level Brainstorming Session on Avian Influenza Under One Health Approach” published on “PIB” on 17 July 2024.

About High-Level Brainstorming Session on Avian Influenza

1. Location: Krishi Bhawan, Delhi

2. Hosted by: Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying

3. Objective of the session: To focus on surveillance and vaccination for Avian Influenza under the One Health approach.

4. Goals: To enhance surveillance, improve response mechanisms, and advance vaccine development.

5. Significance: The session was a significant step towards a coordinated and comprehensive approach to managing Avian Influenza.

6. Impact: Mitigate the effects of Avian Influenza and similar zoonotic diseases using the One Health approach.

Importance of the Poultry Sector in India

1. Role in Food Security:This provides high-quality protein and contributes to nutritional security.

2. Economic Impact: It supports livelihoods, especially in rural areas, and boosts trade and exports.

3. Growth Rate: It is steadily growing at 7-10% over the past decade.

4. Challenges: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreaks hinder growth and impact exports.

Avian Influenza (HPAI) Challenges

1. The H5 subtype virus is evolving and expanding geographically, with new genetic lineages emerging.

2. Recent HPAI outbreaks in dairy cattle in the USA, with spillover to other mammals, highlight the potential for pandemics.

3. One Health Approach is essential for addressing the threat by integrating human, animal, and environmental health.

Surveillance and Response Mechanisms

1. The session emphasized enhancing current protocols for Avian Influenza surveillance and response.

2. Key strategies include improving environmental surveillance, updating protocols, and strengthening monitoring at human-animal-wildlife interfaces.

3. Efforts focus on winter surveillance of migratory birds and developing low-cost methods for monitoring sites like wet markets and poultry farms. Research by CCMB, ICMR, and NIV is showing promising results in this area.

Vaccination and Research

1. Existing HPAI vaccines provide partial immunity but are not fully effective. The strategy remains focused on surveillance and culling due to biosecurity challenges.

2. However, there is a strong push for advanced vaccine research for humans and poultry. ICAR-NIHSAD, Bhopal is developing an indigenous HPAI vaccine, while ICMR plans to create cell-culture-based vaccines for human use.

UPSC Syllabus: Science and technology