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Visakhapatnam, May 2, 2025 – Andhra Pradesh has reported its first human fatality from bird flu (H5N1), after a two-year-old girl from Narasaraopet, Palnadu district, succumbed to the infection in March. This marks only the second human death from H5N1 in India, following a similar case in Haryana in 2021. Genetic analysis by the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, has revealed that both cases were caused by the same clade of the virus, 2.3.2.1a, raising concerns about cross-border transmission and the role of migratory birds in spreading the disease1.
Details of the Case
The child reportedly consumed raw chicken on February 28, after which she developed high fever and diarrhoea. She was first admitted to a local hospital and later transferred to AIIMS Mangalagiri, where she died on March 16 despite intensive treatment. Laboratory tests at NIV Pune and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) confirmed H5N1 as the cause of death.
Health officials have traced the likely source of infection to the raw chicken, as other family members who consumed cooked chicken remained healthy. Extensive surveillance of the family and the local poultry supply chain found no evidence of further human or poultry infections.
Clade Analysis and Transmission Concerns
The NIV’s analysis showed that the virus infecting the girl belongs to clade 2.3.2.1a, the same genetic lineage as the virus responsible for the 2021 Haryana death. This clade has also been linked to a recent travel-associated case in West Bengal. The clustering of these cases suggests that migratory birds or cross-border transmission may be facilitating the spread of this lineage in South Asia.
Data from the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) further indicate that this clade is present in a variety of hosts, including domestic poultry and wild birds, across regions such as Bangladesh, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Australia. This adaptability increases the potential for interspecies transmission and highlights the importance of robust surveillance.
Outbreaks in Poultry and Response
Andhra Pradesh has experienced eight outbreaks of bird flu in 2025, affecting over 540,000 birds and leaving more than 600,000 susceptible. These outbreaks have occurred in both commercial and backyard poultry farms across multiple districts. Authorities have implemented culling and surveillance measures, declaring infected zones as red zones and restricting animal movement to contain the spread.
Public Health Measures and Safety
Officials have reassured the public that there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission in this case. The infection has been described as sporadic, with no new human cases detected since the child’s death. Health authorities are advising the public to avoid consuming raw or undercooked poultry, as cooking at temperatures above 60–70°C kills the H5N1 virus.
Medical teams are conducting fever screenings in vulnerable areas, and the central government has deployed a National Joint Outbreak Response team to assist the state in monitoring the situation.
Expert Perspective
While the mortality rate for H5N1 in humans can be high, the virus is not easily transmissible between people. Experts caution that a single sporadic case does not indicate pandemic potential, but emphasize the need for vigilant monitoring and biosecurity in poultry operations.
“The observed clustering in the Palnadu case indicates that migratory wild birds or other cross-border transmission routes may be facilitating the spread of this lineage, highlighting an intricate network of viral evolution in the region,” noted the NIV report.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on information available as of May 2, 2025, from official health sources and news reports. The situation is evolving, and new findings may emerge. For the latest updates and health advisories, readers should consult local health authorities and the World Health Organization.
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