Why in the News?

The US Department of Agriculture has confirmed a new spillover of H5N1 avian flu genotype D1.1 into dairy cattle in the United States.

What is Genotype D1.1?

Genotype D1.1 is a strain of the H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus, primarily found in poultry and wild birds.
It is part of the H5 clade 2.3.4.4b, which has been responsible for multiple outbreaks worldwide.
It was recently confirmed in dairy herds in Churchill County, Nevada, USA.
Symptoms in Cattle: Includes fever, reduced milk production, coughing, sneezing, and nasal discharge.
Differences from B3.13: Genotype B3.13, the previous dominant H5N1 strain in cattle, caused milder infections in humans, whereas D1.1 has led to more severe cases.

A spillover event occurs when a virus jumps from its natural host species (wild birds) to other animals or humans.
It spreads through wild bird migration routes, carrying the virus across continents.
The virus has been detected in unpasteurized milk from infected cows, raising concerns about worker exposure.

Although genotype D1.1 has not been detected in India, the growing spread of H5N1 in cattle and humans abroad raises concerns for public health and livestock industries in India.
India is part of major bird migration routes (Central Asian Flyway & East Asian-Australasian Flyway), making it vulnerable to H5N1 spread from infected wild birds.
With India being the world’s largest milk producer, a spillover of H5N1 into dairy cattle could severely impact milk production and exports.
While human cases remain rare, a mutation allowing human-to-human transmission could lead to a pandemic-like scenario.
India poultry products exports to Middle Eastern and Asian markets; an H5N1 outbreak could lead to bans and economic losses.

[2015] H1N1 virus is sometimes mentioned in the news with reference to which one of the following diseases?

(a) AIDS

(b) Bird flu

(d) Swine flu