Chhindwara bird flu detected in cats – Is there a risk to humans?

In the 50s, our world was introduced to a new disease called Avian influenza, 'bird flu'. As a result, a large number of birds, especially chickens, began to fall ill and die. Bird flu (H5N1) is spreading from time to time in different parts of the world. But in recent times, the pattern has changed. This disease used to spread only to birds but now it has started spreading to domestic animals, especially cats. Apart from all this, there have been many such cases in the last 10 years where humans have also become victims of this flu. 

We have the example of bird flu spread in Chhindwara in February 2025, where the bird flu virus has been found in many chickens, other birds and 5 cats initially. Let's examine in detail the evolution of avian influenza, its expanding host range, and its potential consequences for global health and agriculture.

Bird flu outbreak in Chhindwara

Starting January this year, the country's first case of avian flu was seen in Chhindwara. The situation started to get worse as we entered February because a mutation was seen in this virus, affecting  pet cats. Reportedly, these cats were fed uncooked infected chicken meat. Many cats fell ill and died.

The scientific name of this virus is H5N1 and the 2.3.2.1 variant of this virus has been found in the cases of Chhindwara. Talking about the samples taken from the infected cats of Chhindwara, 27 mutations have been found in them.

Ward No. 6, 7, 8, 28, 29, 30, 31, 41 and 45 of Chhindwara Municipal Corporation have been declared infected and Gram Panchayat Linga is being kept under constant surveillance. After confirming the presence of the virus, 40 thousand eggs have been destroyed by the Chhindwara Municipal Corporation. Also, 500 hens have been buried near the Jamunjhiri garbage dump. At least 18 cats have died in Chhindwara so far due to this virus.

However, samples of 65 humans living in the affected areas were also taken by the team, all of whom have tested negative after testing. As a protective measure, local administration has closed the meat market in the affected areas for 21 days.

Changing patterns of bird flu

The term bird flu was first coined in northern Italy as a contagious poultry disease. However, it was later found that the cause was a virus.

Influenza viruses develop in two main ways. First antigenic drift and second antigenic shift. Antigenic drift involves small but persistent mutations in viral genes. These mutations specifically encode hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA), leading to epidemiological diseases. Antigenic shifts, on the other hand, involve large and rapid changes resulting from genetic reassortment or the introduction of a new HA, or both HA and NA, into the human population, often leading to epidemics.

In order to understand the mutation in  the avian influenza virus, we need to know its reassortment process. In the process, two different influenza viruses infect the same host cell. This leads to the exchange of gene segments. This leads to changes in the host cell or multiplication of the virus.  

Such reassortment can lead to the emergence of new viral strains with altered antigenic properties, potentially causing pandemics. We have historical examples that include the 1957 "Asian flu" and the 1968 "Hong Kong flu" pandemics. In both these cases, reassortment between avian and human influenza viruses led to the creation of novel strains capable of human-to-human transmission. Specifically, recombinant viruses containing avian-origin hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) segments were responsible for these epidemics.

In the last few decades,  there has been an increase in the cases of transmission of bird flu from birds to mammals. Over the past decades, the H5N1 virus has affected many bird and mammal species.

There has been an increase in H5N1 infections in mammals, including seals, sea otters, dolphins, foxes and California condors. The geographical area and number of species affected by recent panzootic illnesses (2020-2023) is significantly larger than during the previous wave of infections (2003-2019).

The H5N1 virus is constantly changing and adapting, which is increasing the cases of infection in mammals. Because of this changing pattern, there are growing concerns about the potential risks to both wild mammals and human health.

Mutations such as PB2-E627K and PB2-D701N have been identified in H5N1 viruses infecting mammals, indicating adaptation to replication in mammalian tissues.

In January 2025, a study showed how the H5N1 avian influenza virus is adapting to infect dairy cattle and other mammals.

At the same time, the presence of this virus has also increased over time in different geographical areas, where these cases have been seen in mammals. For example, during the last wave of infections, 10 countries reported natural infection of mammals with H5N1, while the current outbreak has spread to 26 countries. This expansion is a major threat to biodiversity, especially to threatened species.

Human connection

Only two human cases of avian influenza have been officially reported in India. The first was of a fatal HPAI A (H5N1) infection in a boy under the age of 18 in Haryana in July 2021. The second case was of a four-year-old child infected with Avian Influenza A (H9N2) in West Bengal in May 2024, who had fully recovered.

In addition, a 2-and-a-half-year-old child returning to Australia from India was found to be infected with the reassortant H5N1 virus, which revealed a genetic mix between avian influenza viruses.

 A WHO report confirms that bird flu can also be fatal to humans. Globally, 954 cases of human infection with avian influenza A (H5N1) virus were reported in 24 countries from 1 January 2003 to 12 December 2024. Of these, 464 cases were fatal, resulting in a fatality rate of 49%.

In the Western Pacific alone, a total of 142 people have died from the avian influenza virus since 2003. Reportedly, only one has died in India in the year 2021. 

According to an article published in the English magazine Geographical, some bird species are migrating ahead of their time due to hot temperatures. Because of this, their time at breeding sites is increasing, which can be areas of high infection. On the other hand, extreme weather events can also cause birds to travel uncertain distances. This could increase the contact of these birds with other animals and the potential spread of H5N1 geographically.

Climate change and changes in the behaviour of migratory birds are clearly visible in India as well. Gujarat, for instance, has seen a change in the routes of migratory birds. A research conducted by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) found that the migratory bird Eurasian Golden Oriole arrived in India five days ahead of its time. 

If recent findings are to be believed, the changes in the migration pattern of birds can increase the risk of avian influenza. 

If we look at the situation of bird flu in India, it is spread over 9 states of India. Its seriousness can be gauged from the fact that more than 5000 chickens have been killed in Ranchi as a preventive measure. The central government has also issued an advisory to the states. This advisory talks about ensuring continuous monitoring and cleanliness of poultry, dairy animals, and wildlife.

However, the virus has not caused much damage to the human community. But the changing symptoms of the virus can also affect humans on a large scale in the coming days. On the other hand, the virus continues to cause irreversible damage to ecology and biodiversity.

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