From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: H5N1 Virus
Mains level: Scale of spreading H5N1 virus
Why in the news?
The current outbreak of H5N1 was a disaster waiting to happen, as experts have been sounding alarm bells on the unsafe conditions at industrial livestock production for more than 10 years now.
Scale of spreading H5N1 virus:
- Global Spread of H5N1 in humans: The H5N1 virus has spread globally, affecting various species including humans, polar bears in the Arctic, and seals and seagulls in Antarctica.
- In India Spread of H5N1 in humans: The first H5N1 patient was reported in Maharashtra in 2006. An outbreak in December 2020 and early 2021 spread across 15 States
- Human Fatality Rate: As per WHO, the fatality rate for H5N1 among humans is estimated at 52%, with 463 deaths recorded since 2003 out of 888 diagnosed cases.
- Transmission from Birds and Contaminated Environments: Almost all human infections with H5N1 are linked to close contact with infected birds or contaminated environments, emphasizing the importance of biosecurity measures.
- Spread in other species: This pathogen has crossed many species barriers, causing mortality among the polar bears in the Arctic and seals and seagulls in Antarctica.
Causes for the spread of H5N1 (avian influenza or bird flu) infection:
- Contact with infected birds: Humans can contract H5N1 if they come into direct contact with the body fluids, such as saliva, respiratory droplets, or feces, of infected birds.
- Poultry Trade and Movement: The transportation and trade of infected poultry, poultry products, and crowded live poultry markets provide an environment for the virus to spread between birds and potentially to humans.
- Antibiotic Resistance: The 269th Law Commission of India Report in 2017 highlighted evidence from the Tata Memorial Centre regarding the use of non-therapeutic antibiotics in poultry farming, leading to antibiotic resistance due to unhygienic living conditions.
- Environmental Factors: Factors like proximity to bodies of water, reduced rainfall, and presence near major highways have been associated with increased risk of H5N1 outbreaks. These environmental conditions may facilitate the spread of the virus.
Regulation: The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has classified poultry units with more than 5,000 birds as a polluting industry that requires compliance and regulatory consent to establish and operate.
Way Forward:
- Draft Rules for Welfare: The Law Commission 269th recommended a set of draft rules for the welfare of chickens in the meat and egg industries, aligning with existing laws and international best practices for animal care, waste management, and antibiotic use.
- Weaknesses in Draft Rules: The Draft Rules for the egg industry released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare in 2019 were criticized for being weak and tokenistic, failing to meet the recommendations of the Law Commission.
- Need for Oversight and Enforcement: Given the reclassification of the poultry industry as a highly polluting ‘orange category’ industry by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), strict oversight for compliance and enforcement of environmental regulations is essential.
Mains PYQ:
Q What is the basic principle behind vaccine development? How do vaccines work? What approaches were adopted by the Indian vaccine manufacturers to produce COVID-19 vaccines? (UPSC IAS/2022)
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