Public health officials in India face a dual challenge as recurring avian influenza outbreaks in poultry align with a seasonal surge in H1N1 influenza cases, prompting heightened surveillance warnings from the World Health Organization.
WHO Warns Asia-Pacific Region on H5N1 Avian Influenza Preparedness
The World Health Organization urged Asia-Pacific countries to strengthen preparedness against highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) following the 19th Biregional Meeting of National Influenza Centres and Influenza Surveillance. Held from August 25 to August 27 and jointly organized by WHO’s Southeast Asia and Western Pacific regional offices, the gathering drew over 150 influenza experts, laboratory scientists, and public health officials. According to meeting findings, officials examined ways to convert surveillance data into faster public health decisions amid the continuing spread of H5N1 among birds and the potential for animal-to-human spillover.
Bird Flu Outbreaks Hit Indian Poultry Farms
For India, the threat is concrete rather than theoretical. Central government reports noted avian influenza outbreaks spanning 2024 and 2025. More recently, Kerala recorded 11 H5N1 outbreaks in poultry farms, resulting in the deaths of over 54,000 birds and the precautionary culling of thousands more, according to official records.
While the risk of H5N1 to the general population remains low, India’s recent history underscores the need for sustained vigilance. World Health Organization data shows India reported one death between 2020 and 2024, followed by two deaths in 2025, due to avian influenza A (H5N1). Genetic analysis linked the virus to clade 2.3.2.1a, a lineage circulating in the region.
Experts Link Seasonal H1N1 Surge and Zoonotic Risks
Public health experts emphasize that managing seasonal influenza alongside recurring avian outbreaks requires robust laboratory networks and early-warning systems. Dr Manali Agarwal, an infectious disease expert and medical microbiologist formerly of AIIMS Delhi, explained that H5N1 is a subtype primarily infecting birds and mammals, with human infections remaining rare and mostly linked to close contact with infected animals or contaminated environments. She noted that sustained human-to-human transmission has not been reported.
“Most human H5N1 cases are associated with the direct handling of infected poultry, slaughtering or preparing sick poultry for consumption, consumption of uncooked poultry products like raw blood, or close contact with live poultry,” Dr Agarwal said.
Dr Tamorish Kole, past president of the Asian Society of Emergency Medicine, distinguished between the two circulating threats. He noted that H1N1 is a seasonal human influenza virus spreading efficiently person-to-person, whereas H5N1 is an avian virus capable of occasional spillover. Dr Kole pointed out that India’s large poultry sector, backyard flocks, live-bird markets, migratory-bird pathways, and frequent human-animal interfaces heighten the importance of a One Health approach integrating human, veterinary, and environmental surveillance.
Did You Know? India showcased its technological readiness at the WHO regional meeting by integrating influenza surveillance with the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP), providing near-real-time data analysis to spot viral trends and outbreaks faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between H1N1 and H5N1 influenza?
H1N1 is a seasonal human influenza virus that spreads efficiently from person to person. H5N1 is an avian influenza virus that primarily infects birds and occasionally spills over to humans through direct contact with infected animals or contaminated environments.
How many human H5N1 cases has India recorded?
India has recorded three laboratory-confirmed human H5N1 infections since 2003, all of which were fatal. These include a child in Haryana in 2021 and two additional fatal infections reported in 2025.
Can H5N1 transmit easily between humans?
No, sustained human-to-human transmission of H5N1 has not been reported by the World Health Organization, and the overall public health risk remains low.
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