NEW DELHI: India has reported four cases of highly pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1), detected in three pet cats and a live bird market in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara.
The Centre stated that as soon as the Department of Animal Husbandry was notified, immediate public health measures were initiated.
Following the detection of the cases, concerns were raised about the potential evolution of the H5N1 virus and its transmission to humans. Authorities collected 65 human samples from veterinarians, other contacts, and people working in the live bird market.
The samples were sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, for testing on 10 February.
“All were found negative for influenza,” said a statement from the Union Health Ministry.
The ministry further stated that the state had been requested to initiate control and containment operations as per the Action Plan of Animal Husbandry for Prevention, Control, and Containment of Avian Influenza (2021).
Additionally, all birds in the affected live bird market were culled, and the market was shut for 21 days from the date of issue of the sanitisation certificate.
The ministry confirmed that necessary measures outlined in the contingency plan (2005) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had also been implemented.