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New Delhi, April 6, 2025: Responding to a spreading H5N1 avian influenza outbreak, the Indian government has ordered mandatory registration for all poultry farms across the country. The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), under the Union Ministry of Animal Husbandry, announced Friday that farms must complete registration with their respective state animal husbandry departments within one month.
This directive is a key component of the central government’s “three-pronged strategy” aimed at controlling the ongoing H5N1 situation, which has now seen confirmed outbreaks in 34 epicentres spanning eight states: Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand.
The decision followed a high-level meeting at Krishi Bhavan, chaired by DAHD Secretary Alka Upadhyaya. The meeting included representatives from the poultry industry, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), and other relevant stakeholders, focusing on immediate containment actions and preventative measures.
While H5N1 primarily affects birds, officials confirmed, citing an HT report, that fewer than 10 cases of transmission to mammals have been documented in India thus far.
In a related development to bolster control efforts, the DAHD has approved the commercial use of the H9N2 (Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza) vaccine, developed by the ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal. A nationwide study is planned to assess the vaccine’s field effectiveness.
During the meeting, poultry industry representatives pushed for broader vaccination efforts to prevent significant economic losses. However, experts cautioned that existing vaccines for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), like H5N1, do not guarantee complete immunity (“sterile immunity”) but primarily function to reduce the amount of virus shed by infected birds.
The mandatory registration is expected to improve tracking, monitoring, and response capabilities within the poultry sector as authorities work to curb the spread of the virus.
Disclaimer: This news article is based on information released regarding government directives and reports concerning the H5N1 outbreak as of the date of publication. The situation is ongoing, and details may change.(https://www.financialexpress.com/business/healthcare-govt-makes-registration-mandatory-for-all-poultry-farms-across-country-amid-h5n1-spread-3800473/)
