Chaired by Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary DAHD, the assembly introduced collectively scientific consultants, poultry business representatives and policymakers to evaluate the present scenario of avian influenza and discover methods to comprise the illness and stop its unfold.

A 3-pronged technique to forestall and management hen flu has been determined by DAHD in session with the stakeholders. It encompasses stricter biosecurity measures whereby poultry farms should improve hygiene practices, management farm entry and observe stringent biosecurity protocols to attenuate the threat of an infection, strengthened surveillance and obligatory registration of poultry farms to reinforce illness monitoring and management all poultry farms should register with state animal husbandry departments inside a month. The federal government has urged poultry business stakeholders to make sure 100 per cent compliance with this directive.

Talking on the assembly, Alka Upadhyaya emphasised, “Defending our poultry sector is vital for meals safety and rural livelihoods. Strict biosecurity, scientific surveillance, and accountable business practices are important in our battle in opposition to Fowl Flu.”

Moreover, Secretary DAHD acknowledged the necessity for creating a predictive modelling system for early warning and environmental surveillance which might allow proactive illness detection and response, minimizing the threat of outbreaks and defending the poultry business.

DAHD has permitted the usage of the H9N2 (Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza) vaccine, developed by ICAR-NIHSAD, Bhopal, which is now obtainable commercially.

A nationwide examine will consider the vaccine’s effectiveness of LPAI vaccination. The assembly additionally extensively mentioned the potential for permitting the usage of a vaccine in opposition to Extremely Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in India. Representatives from the poultry business urged the federal government to discover vaccination as a method to forestall additional financial losses within the sector.

Scientific consultants highlighted that presently obtainable HPAI vaccines don’t present sterile immunity however solely cut back virus shedding. Given these complexities, it was agreed that additional scientific analysis is required earlier than making a coverage determination. The assembly really useful conducting detailed science-based assessments to find out the feasibility of HPAI vaccination in India.

Analysis efforts have additionally been initiated to develop an indigenous HPAI vaccine following world finest practices.