Bird Flu Spreads: India Tightens Biosecurity Rules

New Delhi, Apr 4 (PTI) The government on Friday called on poultry farms to enhance hygiene practices, control farm access, and register with authorities within a month to better track and control bird flu outbreaks that have spread to wild birds in some areas.

Avian influenza, a highly infectious viral disease affecting birds with occasional transmission to mammals, has seen outbreaks in six zones across Jharkhand, Telangana, and Chhattisgarh since its first detection in India in 2006.

"This year, the virus has shown cross-species transmission, impacting not just poultry but also wild birds and even big cats in some areas," a senior government official said.

Animal Husbandry and Dairying Secretary Alka Upadhyaya chaired a high-level meeting where officials agreed on a three-pronged strategy to tackle the crisis, the official said.

The approach includes implementing stricter hygiene practices and biosecurity protocols at poultry farms to minimise infection risks, alongside mandatory registration of all farms within a month.

"Protecting our poultry sector is critical for food security and rural livelihoods. Strict biosecurity, scientific surveillance, and responsible industry practices are essential in our fight against bird flu," Upadhyaya said during the meeting.

The government also discussed the possibility of allowing vaccines against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) but scientific experts noted that vaccines available now only reduce virus shedding rather than providing complete immunity.

India has already permitted commercial use of an H9N2 (Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza) vaccine developed by ICAR-NIHSAD, Bhopal, while research has begun on developing an indigenous HPAI vaccine following global standards.

Upadhyaya emphasised the need for predictive modelling and environmental surveillance systems for early outbreak detection to protect the industry.

The meeting included scientific experts, poultry industry representatives, and policymakers working to contain the disease and prevent its spread.