It has been analyzed that H9N2 Bird flu in India, primarily affecting birds has primarily two main strains. H5N1 raises concerns because of its potential spread among humans. However, H9N2 a low-pathogenic strain in India presents a different picture.
As it can jump from birds to humans causing mild illness in a few cases spread between people. Despite the low immediate risk, H9N2’s ability to mutate and its zoonotic potential warrant monitoring.
Strong surveillance of birds and humans, biosecurity measures in poultry farms, and public awareness campaigns are crucial to manage this potential threat and protect India’s public health and poultry industry.
H9N2: A Low Pathogenic Strain
The H9N2 strain of avian influenza is classified as low-pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI). In simple terms, birds that are infected with H9N2 typically have a mild disease with few noticeable symptoms. However, low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) viruses can negatively impact the poultry business by reducing egg output and bird weight.
However, H9N2 has the ability to frequently transmit from avian species to humans, resulting in mild to severe respiratory complications. These examples of human illnesses are usually limited to individual cases and do not readily transmit from person to person.
Influenza viruses have the ability to undergo genetic mutations. Although H9N2 currently exhibits limited human-to-human transmission, a mutation has the potential to enhance its capacity for spreading. The zoonotic threat posed by H9N2 is evident in its ability to transmit from birds to humans, emphasizing the likelihood of zoonotic spillover events. These events occur when animal viruses can infect humans potentially resulting in pandemics.
Outbreaks of H9N2 in poultry farms can have a substantial economic impact on India’s poultry sector resulting in major financial losses. India can effectively mitigate the risk and prevent potential future threats by closely monitoring H9N2, implementing strict biosecurity controls in chicken farms, and educating the people.
H9N2 Cases in India
India has documented a limited number of confirmed instances of H9N2 avian influenza in humans. In June 2024, a four-year-old child in West Bengal likely contracted the virus by being exposed to poultry at home.
This case continues from a previously reported case in 2019. However, both youngsters successfully recovered following medical intervention.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has determined that the public health risk posed by H9N2 in India is minimal. This is because the virus has limited pathogenicity and no indication of sustained human-to-human transmission.
Significance of Monitoring H9N2
H9N2 is still a virus to be worried about, even though it does not represent risk at the moment:
- Mutations: Influenza viruses can change into different forms. At the moment, H9N2 does not easily spread between people but a mutation could make it easier to spread.
- Zoonotic Potential: The fact that H9N2 can move from birds to people shows that viruses from animals can affect people and possibly start pandemics.
- Effects on the economy: India’s poultry business can lose a lot of money if H9N2 spreads to poultry.
Managing the Risk of H9N2
India can lower its chance of getting H9N2 in a number of ways:
- Monitoring: Running strong monitoring programs for human and animal flu viruses lets outbreaks and possible mutations be found early.
- Biosecurity Steps: Putting in place safety measures in poultry farms, live bird markets and poultry farms can help stop the virus from spreading among birds and lower the chance that it will reach people.
- Making People Aware: People can help stop the spread of the virus by learning about bird flu, good hygiene, and the significance of reporting sick birds.
Conclusion
Hence, H9N2 Bird Flu in India is not a major threat to public health right now, people should still be very careful. However, we must pay attention to the virus in birds and people all the time to find possible spreads or changes early.
Putting in place biosecurity measures in poultry farms helps stop the disease from spreading between birds and lowers the chance that it will reach people.
Lastly, designing vaccines specifically to fight H9N2 could add another layer of defense in the future. India can successfully control the H9N2 risk and protect public health and the poultry industry by using all of these strategies together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.Can H9N2 Bird flu in India infect humans?
A.Yes, H9N2 can sometimes jump from birds to humans resulting in mild respiratory illness.
Q.What is the role of birds in spreading H9N2 bird flu in India?
A.Wild Birds can carry H9N2 without visible symptoms resulting in spreading the disease over long distances, including humans.
Q.Is H9N2 spread from Eating the cooked chicken?
A.No, H9N2 is properly inactivated by proper cooking temperatures (Above 70C).