India H5N1 Free : Environment for UPSC Exams
India H5N1 Free : Environment for UPSC Exams
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H5N1 is a type of influenza virus that causes a highly infectious, severe respiratory disease in birds called avian influenza (or "bird flu"). Human cases of H5N1 avian influenza occur occasionally, but it is difficult to transmit the infection from person to person.
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India has declared itself free from avian influenza (H5N1) from September 5, 2016 and notified the same to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).
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India had notified outbreak of avian influenza on 9 May 2016 at Humnabad, Bidar district, Karnataka.
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In areas on the one-kilometre radius of the outbreak location, the government took measures, including culling, disinfection and clean-up, to contain the spread of avian influenza.
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Post the surveillance, the state has shown no evidence of presence of the disease. There has been no further outbreak reported in the country thereafter.
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Bird flu affects mainly the domestic poultry. The disease spreads from infected birds to other winged creatures through contact with nasal and respiratory secretions and also due to contamination of feed and water.