Zoonotic Diseases: Medical Sciences Involved & Preventive Measures

Bird Flu is Spreading in Bihar

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: H5N1 Bird Flu

Why in the News?

Bihar is currently facing a bird flu outbreak, yet the state lacks a dedicated testing facility for confirming cases.

What is H5N1 Bird Flu?

  • H5N1 (Avian Influenza A) is a highly contagious virus affecting birds and some mammals.
  • It was first detected in China in 1996 and has since spread globally, including India.
  • In 2020, a highly pathogenic strain emerged, leading to outbreaks in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

Impact of H5N1 on Animals:

  • Wild birds, especially endangered species like California condors, have suffered mass casualties.
  • The virus previously targeted poultry, but now marine mammals (sea lions, dolphins) and terrestrial mammals (foxes, bears, pumas, minks) are also infected.
  • India’s first H5N1 outbreak occurred in Maharashtra and Gujarat in 2015.

Human Risk and Potential Transmission:

  • Direct human infections are rare and usually occur through close contact with infected birds.
  • Climate change is worsening the spread, altering bird migration patterns and increasing interspecies interactions.
  • Human-to-human transmission is uncommon, but experts warn that mutations could make it possible in the future.

PYQ:

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

(a) AIDS

(b) Bird flu

(c) Dengue

(d) Swine flu

 

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