H5N1, or Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A, is a subtype of influenza A virus that causes avian influenza or flu in cows, birds, and other mammals. However, this highly infectious respiratory virus can be transmitted to humans, especially poultry workers or those in close contact with infected birds or animals. The H5N1 flu virus is enzootic, affecting species maintained in populations, but it is also panzootic, affecting animals of many species over a wide area.

What is Avian Influenza or Bird Flu?

Bird Flu is an infection that spreads in birds and other animals through a particular type of virus. However, these infections are not limited to birds and can also spread from birds to humans. The chances of spreading the infection from human to human are rare.

Is H5N1 Spreading in India?

India is at risk of an H5N1 bird flu pandemic because of its large poultry sector, wetlands, and migratory flyways. Recently, three tigers and a leopard at a Nagpur Rescue Center died from H5N1, raising concerns among Indians.

H5N1 is not a newly developed virus in India; traces were first found in 2006 in Maharashtra. Since the outbreak, there have been 284 cases of H5N1 in India. The highest numbers came from Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Odisha. However, only two human cases have been reported in India thus far.

Is H5N1 Contagious?

H5N1 virus is not easily contagious from person to person. After close contact with infected living or dead birds or an H5N1-contaminated environment, it infects an individual. The symptoms of H5N1 vary depending on the strain of the virus. It can either be Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza (LPAI) or High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). Studies reported mammals infected with LPAI experienced milder symptoms than those infected with HPAI.

Symptoms of H5N1 begin within two to eight days and can appear like conjunctivitis, fever, fatigue, cough, diarrhea, headaches, and seizures. Ignorance of symptoms may cause serious health complications, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, respiratory failure, pneumonia, and multiple organ failure.

Moreover, poultry farmers, livestock workers, animal health responders, hunters, and daily laboratory workers are at higher risk. Doctors believe that the risk of human-to-human transmission is limited, but preventive measures can help reduce the prevalence of the H5N1 virus. Here are some precautions to reduce its risk.

1. Wash hands regularly– Always wash your hands after being in a wildlife area or an area exposed to animals.
2. Maintain distance– Maintain a distance from wild birds and animals, and avoid touching, feeding, or handling them.
3. Use protective gear– Wear a mask and eye protection to protect your mouth, nose, and eyes from contaminated dust, feces, and feathers.
4. Avoid pasteurized products– Don’t drink unpasteurized or raw milk products like cheese, yogurt, or ice cream.
5. Cook Food Thoroughly Cook poultry, eggs, and beef to a safe temperature before eating to kill viruses and bacteria.
6. Limit Exposure to Infected Animals Avoid working with animals exposed to the H5N1 virus. Always wash your hands with soap and water if you encounter an infected animal or person.

Dr. Ashok Rattan, a Former CAREC/PAHO/WHO expert and Lead Advisor of the Medical Committee & Quality at Redcliffe Labs, said there is no reason to panic about H5N1, as human transmissions are rare. However, pet owners must properly care for and protect their pets from infected birds and animals. If their pets are affected, the chances of virus transmission to pet owners increase.

In addition, the symptoms of H5N1 can be mistaken for those of other respiratory diseases, underscoring the need to detect them early and adopt preventive measures to mitigate the risk of severe health problems. Currently, there are not enough cases to predict if it will become an epidemic or pandemic, but preventative measures can reduce the possibility of spreading. It is always better to stay aware and take measures to stay safe. Every transmission stopped is like breaking the chain and mitigating the risk of virus transmission leading to a pandemic or epidemic.