India reports eight outbreaks of bird flu

INDIA – India is dealing with eight outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu in Andhra Pradesh, according to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).

The cases were all recorded in the eastern region of the state, affecting both poultry farms and backyard birds. 

Reports from Indian authorities indicate that a total of 602,000 birds have either died from the infection or been culled to control the spread.

These outbreaks come as bird flu continues to spread in different parts of the world, raising concerns about cross-species transmission. 

In the United Kingdom, a case of H5N1 was recently detected in a sheep in Yorkshire, marking the first time the virus has been found in the species.

UK health officials identified the infection during routine tests on a farm where bird flu had previously been reported in poultry. 

No other sheep in the flock tested positive, and the infected animal was culled as a precaution.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK’s chief veterinary officer, stated that strict biosecurity measures have been put in place at the farm. 

She urged farmers to maintain high hygiene standards and report any unusual symptoms in their animals to authorities.

Bird flu primarily affects birds, but it has also been detected in mammals, including cats, foxes, otters, pigs, and cattle. 

Scientists were surprised when the virus was recently found in cows, as they were not previously considered highly susceptible to the infection.

In the United States, a strain of H5N1 is now considered endemic in dairy cattle, raising questions about how the virus is spreading across different animal populations. 

The disease has also been detected in humans, mostly among farm workers who have had direct contact with infected animals.

The rapid spread of the virus has reached critical levels, killing hundreds of millions of birds globally and infecting an increasing number of mammals, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Global Impact and Economic Strain

During a recent meeting with member states, FAO officials warned that the outbreak is already affecting food security, rural livelihoods, and economies. 

Rising costs and disruptions in poultry supply chains have placed additional pressure on consumers.

In the United States, egg prices soared to record highs in February after farmers were forced to cull more than 166 million birds. 

So far this year, over 30 million additional losses have been reported, further straining production.

FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol emphasized that H5N1 is a global threat that no country can manage alone. 

Health and agriculture officials worldwide are calling for stronger biosecurity measures, improved surveillance, and rapid-response strategies to limit the outbreak’s impact.

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.