Avian flu found in three pet cats and live bird market

Health Ministry confirms Avian Influenza in cats and bird market in Madhya Pradesh, urges enhanced surveillance and biosecurity measures.

The Health Ministry on Friday confirmed that Avian Influenza (H5N1) has been found in three pet cats and a live bird market in Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh on January 31, 2025.

It added that all necessary public health measures were instituted.

Avian influenza (AI), also known as bird flu, is a zoonotic viral disease that primarily affects poultry and may occasionally spillover to mammals, including humans and swine.

Avian Influenza primarily affects birds and is often transmitted through wild migratory species. With recent outbreaks reported in some parts of India, the Central government has urged all States to enhance surveillance and biosecurity protocols at poultry farms.

Meanwhile, action taken on the outbreak among cats and the market includes the State being 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 the birds in the entire live bird market were culled and the market closed for a period of 21 days from the date of issue of sanitisation certificate,” said the Ministry in its release.

It added that necessary actions as outlined in the Action Plan of Animal Husbandry Department, were initiated.