Bird Flu Alert in Madhya Pradesh: H5N1 Virus Detected in This Animal After Poultry

In a worrying trend, avian influenza (H5N1) cases have been found in domestic cats in Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh. Though this is the first such instance in the state, top health officials have clarified that the virus has not affected the pet owners.

Three to four cats were found to be positive for H5N1 in Madhya Pradesh, sparking fears of the virus mutating from birds to mammals, as per a report by news agency PTI. Even though the owners of the infected cats have turned out to be negative, the incident has fueled fears of the virus spreading to humans.

Positive H5N1 cases in cats confirmed by officials

Madhya Pradesh Animal Husbandry Department Director P.S. Patel confirmed the results. "Three to four cats sent from Chhindwara to ICAR-National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal gave blood, nasal, and rectal samples which were found positive for H5N1. But their owners have come out negative," Patel informed PTI.

Health authorities take precautionary measures

After the avian flu was confirmed in house cats, pet owners have been put under isolation and constant surveillance by health officials. Patel assured citizens that "There is no cause for panic. We are keeping a high level of alertness and regularly testing the samples of cats and birds in Chhindwara and elsewhere in Madhya Pradesh. No new cases have been detected except for this one case.

Research finds mutations in H5N1 virus

Researchers from ICAR-NIHSAD and the central government's Animal Husbandry Department have reported the outbreak of H5N1 among domestic cats in Nagpur bordering district Chhindwara, Maharashtra, where larger feline species have also been infected. The H5N1 strain found among these cats is 2.3.2.1a clade, which is the first reported case of such an outbreak in India, a Times of India report said.

The research further indicated that the cats showed signs such as severe fever, anorexia, and lethargy before dying from the disease within one to three days. Scientists found 27 genetic mutations in the virus strain present in these cats, making it distinct from the ones that are most prevalent in poultry.

Health advisory and ongoing surveillance

The authorities are still keeping a close eye on the situation, with routine sample collection from domestic and wild animals to avoid further transmission. Although the present data does not indicate imminent human transmission, experts stress the importance of ongoing surveillance and precautionary measures to counter any possible risks.