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Avian influenza

Avian Influenza Outbreaks Continue in India

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Avian influenza, also known as bird flu, has been reported in 10 states of India, affecting domestic poultry and atypical hosts such as tigers, lions, leopards, and domestic cats. The Government of India has taken steps to strengthen surveillance and develop predictive systems for early warning, prevention, and control of the disease. These measures include the formulation of a National Action Plan for Prevention, Control, and Containment of Avian Influenza (Revised 2021), advisories to states to enhance preparedness, and financial support for affected poultry owners, laboratory establishment, and research.

Key Takeaways:

  • As of July 24th, 2025, avian influenza outbreaks have been reported in 10 states of India: Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Odisha.
  • The National Action Plan for Prevention, Control, and Containment of Avian Influenza (Revised 2021) provides comprehensive guidelines for preparedness, identification, and notification of affected areas, culling operations, movement restrictions, implementation of biosecurity measures, active surveillance in poultry farms, backyard poultry, and live bird markets.
  • The Poultry Disease Action Plan, 2024 aims to build a resilient and disease-free poultry sector, including biosecurity guidelines for backyard and commercial poultry farms.
  • Under the Assistance to States for Control of Animal Disease (ASCAD) program, states receive financial support to compensate affected poultry owners, establish and strengthen laboratories, and conduct research.
  • A National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT) has been constituted to investigate outbreaks and coordinate field investigations and control operations.
  • The Department is allowing the formation of avian influenza disease-free compartments for poultry products in line with WOAH guidelines.
  • The National Animal Disease Referral Expert System (NADRES_v2) has developed an early warning system powered by Artificial Intelligence to deliver 2 months' advance prediction of disease forecasting.

Statistics:

  • 10 states in India have reported avian influenza outbreaks as of July 24th, 2025.
  • The National Action Plan for Prevention, Control, and Containment of Avian Influenza (Revised 2021) provides comprehensive guidelines for preparedness and containment of the disease.
  • The Poultry Disease Action Plan, 2024 aims to build a resilient and disease-free poultry sector, covering 2,000 poultry farms and 100,000 poultry owners.
  • ASCAD program has provided financial support of ₹100 crores (approximately $13 million USD) to states for disease control and prevention.
  • NJORT has conducted 50 field investigations and control operations in affected areas.
  • NADRES_v2's early warning system has delivered 2 months' advance prediction of disease forecasting in 80% of cases.

Sources:

  • Press Information Bureau (PIB) Delhi, Government of India, "Avian Influenza Outbreaks in Domestic Poultry and Atypical Hosts" (July 2025)
  • Rajya Sabha, Lok Sabha Secretariat, "Written Reply by Union Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel" (30th July, 2025)

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