Australia reports its first human Avian flu infection Case

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A child was infected by H5N1 (a type of avian influenza A virus).

It is a big concern as H5N1 virus is mainly an animal virus that primarily infects animals.

Refers to the disease caused by infection with Avian Influenza Type A viruses.
- Influenza A viruses are divided into subtypes on the basis of two proteins on the surface of the virus: Hemagglutinin (HA) and Neuraminidase (NA).
Categorized into different subtypes such as H5N3, H5N8 etc.
Also, on the basis of severity, it is categorised into two types- Low Pathogenicity and High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza.
- H5N1 is a high Pathogenicity Avian Influenza.
Carrier and Transmission: Migratory wild birds especially waterfowl, are natural reservoirs of avian influenza viruses.

Cases of Bird flu may rise due to global warming as birds migration patterns will change.
Mutation in the Influenza virus can create new subtypes.
- A mutation is a change in the genetic sequence of an organism.
Trade of infected poultry and poultry products may spread the disease if not regulated properly.

Impacts: Economic Loss due to culling of birds, rise in production costs due to the implementation of bird flu control measures, etc.

Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS): WHO- global laboratory system that identifies and monitors strains of circulating influenza viruses, and provides advice to countries on their risk to human health and available treatment or control measures.
World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH): It’s an international organization that collaborates across nations to enhance animal health.

National Action Plan for Prevention, Control, and Containment of Avian Influenza (revised in 2021): Outlines the steps to manage a confirmed Notifiable Avian Influenza (NAI) outbreak.
Others: In 2023, WOAH approved India's self-declaration of freedom from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in specific poultry compartments.

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