Bird flu outbreak in India: Early symptoms, preventive tips to know
The symptoms become severe enough to cause serious breathing problems, which indicate that the lungs have become affected during days 3-5. The patient experiences breathing difficulties which occur during rest periods, and the chest area experiences severe pain when the person attempts to cough, or take deep breaths while his sputum production becomes both thick and bloody
Bird flu, or avian influenza, mainly caused by the H5N1 virus, is sparking fresh worry in India, with recent outbreaks reported in Kerala, along the Tamil Nadu border, and earlier waves across 10 states including Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra. The virus mainly infects poultry and wild birds and occasionally infects mammals including crows and big cats, but it creates a dangerous human health threat when people touch infected animals, or their contaminated surroundings.
Initially, this presents as typical flu symptoms, but they can develop into dangerous pneumonia. Let's learn more...What fuels the current outbreak in IndiaThe Indian government documented 41 bird flu outbreaks which occurred in 10 states, during the first seven months of 2025. Although the number decreased from 49 in 2024, the country remains at risk from H5N1 and H9N2 bird flu strains. The virus spread between commercial farms and backyard chickens, wild crows and zoo animals, which included tigers, lions and leopards.
The recent reports from Kerala led Tamil Nadu to perform large-scale bird killings and ban all poultry imports, while their officials increased their airport and wetland monitoring activities.
Migratory birds from Central Asia transport this disease to southern regions during their winter migration, because warmer winters create new migration paths which put additional stress on bird populations. The spread of diseases between farms occurs because small farms lack proper biosecurity measures, when they combine ducks with chickens, and their workers do not use protective equipment.
The 2021 National Action Plan (NAP) of India emphasizes both immediate disease notification and vaccine distribution, including the H9N2 vaccine and it supports ring cull operations which provide farmers with Rs 120/kg compensation. The present outbreak has not resulted in any human cases, but scientists believe the virus could spread from animals to people, through wet markets and facilities where animals are slaughtered.
Explained: What is bird flu, how serious is the threat it poses to human beings
Early symptoms to spot firstThe initial symptoms of Bird flu resemble typical cold or seasonal flu symptoms, which appear one to three days following contact with contaminated bird waste, feathers or saliva. Look for sudden high fever above 38°C, chills shaking the body, dry cough, sore throat, and runny nose. The body experiences muscle pain which moves from arms to legs and spine, while fatigue reaches critical levels to prevent any basic activities.
