India’s Bird Flu Crisis Deepens: 14 Outbreaks and Rising

Overview

India is currently grappling with a resurgence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1), with a sharp rise in the number and geographic spread of outbreaks. According to the World Organisation for Animal Health's WAHIS platform, as of April 1, 2025, there have been 14 confirmed outbreaks of H5N1 across the country—up from 8 just days earlier. This growing trend poses serious implications for poultry production, trade, biosecurity, and public health.

1. Latest Update: Surge in Reported Outbreaks

India's bird flu situation is escalating. On March 28, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) reported 8 outbreaks in Andhra Pradesh. However, as of April 1, 2025, the WAHIS system confirms 14 outbreaks spanning multiple states. This reflects both ongoing viral spread and increased detection efforts.

These outbreaks have impacted commercial poultry farms, backyard operations, and in some cases, public markets—leading to mass cullings, movement restrictions, and regional trade bans.

2. Geographical Impact: Widening Footprint

Andhra Pradesh: Remains a focal point, accounting for the initial 8 outbreaks. Thousands of birds have been culled as part of containment.
Maharashtra: New cases continue to emerge in Pune, Chandrapur, and Nagpur. Authorities have implemented disinfection drives and alert zones.
Madhya Pradesh (Chhindwara): Site of India's first-ever case of H5N1 in domestic cats—a notable cross-species spillover.
Jharkhand: Outbreak at a government poultry farm in Ranchi led to the culling of 5,500 birds.
Telangana, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Punjab: Enhanced surveillance following detections in neighboring regions or suspected cases.

Outbreaks have been confirmed or are suspected in at least nine states, reflecting the nationwide spread of H5N1.

3. Government and Industry Response

In response to the widening crisis, the Central Government’s Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has:

Ordered activation of rapid response teams across affected zones
Urged states to intensify surveillance in high-risk areas
Called for biosecurity audits, particularly at government-owned poultry farms
Re-emphasized adherence to the National Action Plan for Avian Influenza (2021)

Temporary bans on poultry movement across state lines have been imposed in places like Telangana, which stopped imports from Andhra Pradesh.

4. Emerging Zoonotic Concerns

A significant development in the current outbreak cycle is the confirmation of H5N1 in three domestic cats in Madhya Pradesh. This is a first for India, and while all human contacts tested negative, the event has triggered broader concerns about the virus's adaptability to mammals.

Scientists warn that such mutations could increase the risk of human infections, though none have been reported in India in 2025 so far.

5. Public Health Messaging and Food Safety

Despite rising cases, cooked poultry products remain safe for consumption. The Ministry of Health and state governments have reiterated that proper cooking (above 70°C) kills the virus.

Key precautions:

Avoid contact with sick or dead birds
Use protective gear for workers in farms and markets
Do not consume raw or undercooked chicken or eggs
Wash hands and surfaces thoroughly after handling poultry

Hospitals in regions like Pune have been put on alert for potential respiratory symptoms in people with poultry exposure.

6. Economic and Trade Implications

India’s poultry sector—valued at billions of dollars—is facing disruptions:

602,000+ birds culled in Andhra Pradesh alone
Market shutdowns, like the 21-day closure in Chhindwara after mammalian cases
Delays in inter-state movement and export logistics

The increase from 8 to 14 outbreaks in just days highlights the dynamic nature of the situation, prompting caution among importers and downstream processors abroad.

7. Biosecurity Challenges and Lessons

Several outbreaks, including in government-owned poultry farms, have exposed biosecurity lapses. The Central Government has called for immediate audits and corrective actions. For foreign buyers and partners, this underlines the importance of source verification and auditability in Indian poultry supply chains.

8. What to Watch Going Forward

For meat industry stakeholders outside India, we recommend tracking:

The WAHIS dashboard for outbreak updates
Zoonotic spillovers (particularly mammalian infections)
State-level containment efficacy and whether outbreaks stabilize
Transport bans and their effect on deliveries and contracts
Certifications and traceability from Indian suppliers

Conclusion

The jump to 14 bird flu outbreaks across India as of April 1, 2025, marks a significant escalation in both spread and complexity. While the virus poses limited risk to humans at this stage, its growing reach, new mammalian infections, and impact on poultry logistics demand close monitoring.

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