The recent culling of over 150,000 chickens following the detection of H5N1 avian influenza in Navapur, Maharashtra, has raised concerns about potential human transmission.
Dr Rajeev Bahl, Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), confirmed that the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and ICMR are closely monitoring the virus's spread in the state.
"The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) and Indian Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR) are closely monitoring the H5N1 avian influenza, till now no human transmission cases have been reported," said Dr Bahl.
Human infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 can cause severe respiratory illness with a high mortality rate; more than half of nearly 1,000 reported cases worldwide have resulted in death. Experts note that there is currently no specific treatment or vaccine available for human use.
Despite the global impact, India has recorded only two confirmed human cases to date. Scientists emphasise that sustained human-to-human transmission of H5N1 is extremely rare, limiting the virus's potential to develop into a widespread human outbreak or global pandemic.
Dr Ishwar Gilada, Secretary General of the Public Health Organisation (India), highlighted the need for pandemic preparedness to evolve into a comprehensive emergency preparedness framework. "There is no second thought on pandemic preparedness that is required at the global, national, state and local level all over the world. Pandemic preparedness should even go beyond and become emergency preparedness that encompasses all the man-made and natural catastrophes too, which includes heat waves, wildfires that have currently showing its worst-ever impacts of global warming. Tracking the viruses and other microbes, genome sequencing, knowledge sharing, Research & Development to find vaccines, treatments/cures, prevention guidelines if and when there is outbreak are crucial steps that should have continuity," Dr Gilada said.
Regarding the H5N1 virus spread, Dr Gilada stated that no evidence currently exists of sustained human-to-human transmission. Citing World Health Organization data, he reported approximately 939 human cases and 464 deaths worldwide from 2003 to the present.
Dr Gilada also urged caution in public communication about the virus: "There is no cause for panic. The media must exercise restraint and present scientific developments with balance, context, and factual scrutiny. Any attempts at fear-based narratives or commercial exploitation through exaggerated claims should be critically examined and exposed," he said.