In response to the recent outbreaks of Avian Influenza across India, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) convened a high-level meeting on April 4, 2025, in New Delhi. The meeting, chaired by DAHD Secretary Alka Upadhyaya, brought together scientific experts, poultry industry representatives, and government officials to assess the current situation and chalk out an action plan to combat the spread of bird flu.
With the virus continuing to affect not only poultry but also wild birds and even big cats in some regions, including Jharkhand, Telangana, and Chhattisgarh, the urgency of the situation was clear. Since its first detection in 2006, bird flu has resurfaced annually in various states, posing a consistent threat to India’s poultry industry, food security, and rural livelihoods.
The DAHD has now laid out a three-pronged strategy to contain the disease. It includes enforcing stricter biosecurity measures on poultry farms, such as improved hygiene and controlled farm access; enhancing disease surveillance systems; and making registration of all poultry farms with state departments mandatory within a month. Stakeholders have been urged to ensure 100% compliance with these directives to curb the spread of infection.
Secretary Alka Upadhyaya stressed the importance of early detection and scientific interventions. She highlighted the need for predictive modelling systems and environmental surveillance tools to detect the disease early and respond quickly.
DAHD has also permitted the commercial use of the H9N2 vaccine, developed by ICAR-NIHSAD, Bhopal, which targets low pathogenic strains of avian influenza. A national study will examine the vaccine's effectiveness.
Discussions also focused on the potential use of vaccines against the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). While industry leaders called for a vaccination strategy to mitigate economic losses, scientific experts cautioned that existing HPAI vaccines only reduce virus shedding and do not offer sterile immunity.
As a result, it was agreed that further scientific assessments are required before making a final decision on HPAI vaccination in India. Efforts are already underway to develop an indigenous HPAI vaccine aligned with international standards.
The meeting witnessed participation from leading animal health experts, poultry vaccine manufacturers, and representatives from prominent institutions like ICAR-NIHSAD, ICAR-IVRI, ICAR-CARI, ICAR-NIVEDI, and the Directorate of Poultry Research.
