Published: August 24, 2025
Authors: Aishwarya Narasimhadevara1 , S. Hanshi2 , Padmini Murthy3
Introduction: The global community is just five years away before the 2030 agenda goal of Leave No One Behind is met. Unfortunately, one of the most important challenges faced in achieving this goal is the emergence and reemergence of infectious diseases. One such example is the recent outbreaks of Avian influenza which is a contagious disease and affects birds, animals and human beings. The etiology of this disease is caused by a virus and specifically the subtypes H5N1, H5N3, H5N8. This outbreak is ongoing and is causing major public health challenges globally.
Transmission –
These viruses reside naturally in wild aquatic birds and can spread to domestic poultry, causing hemorrhages, respiratory issues, decreased egg production and even sudden death. Dabbling ducks, a species of wild aquatic bird, are considered to be the main host for this virus. Infected birds can shed the virus through saliva, nasal secretions, and feces. Susceptible birds can be infected by contact with them or with surfaces that are contaminated by them. The two main strains of the virus are categorized by their pathogenicity in poultry: low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) and high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI). Low pathogenicity avian influenza usually causes mild or no clinical signs, while high pathogenicity avian influenza can cause severe clinical signs and have high mortality rates. LPAI poses a threat due to its potential to mutate into HPAI.
Impact–
Avian influenza has wide-ranging impacts, including economically, ecologically and in terms of public health. Extensive culling of infected and susceptible birds is done during outbreaks that lead to rapid shortages of poultry products and increased prices of eggs. Moreover, due to the high mortality of poultry flocks, this outbreak threatens biodiversity and can have long-lasting consequences on animal health. There is a risk to public health as there is occasional spread to humans who are in close contact with infected birds. This can be due to close contact, contact with contaminants or viruses in the air (droplets or dust). The symptoms range in severity from mild upper respiratory infections to severe pneumonia that results in death. Recently, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has raised concerns about the devastating impacts on food security, including the food supply chain globally, including increased cases of malnutrition especially among the vulnerable populations, unemployment and disruption of local and national economies and rising costs of food.
Recommendations/Next Steps:
To implement measures to prevent the spread of the Avian influenza, various actors have implemented community educational awareness programmes. Education is a powerful tool to teach individuals about the illness and safety mechanisms in maintaining healthy environments. An example includes the Vietnamese government and various NGOs conducting programmes and advertisements in rural areas in different communes that have increased public health knowledge as evident in a study conducted in high-risk populations in Vietnam. The educational interventions include television, radio, lectures, performances, songs, and a quiz game. Hence, one recommendation includes to devise educational campaigns in various formats that are engaging and disseminating information over the specific duration of a time.
Multiple studies have been conducted in various secondary schools around the world to assess students’ understanding of the Avian influenza, including in Greece, Nepal, and Saudi Arabia. The results provided an understanding of the impact of media and awareness campaigns and to devise them accordingly. Hence, effective communication that is in vernacular will impact health literacy which is essential for disease prevention.
Another recommendation is to also train communities in becoming public health advocates and to disseminate information amongst members in poultry farm management. An example includes a training programme, known as the Avian Flu School (AFS),which was developed by the Global Livestock Collaborative Research Support Program and is based on a model created by the Schools of Veterinary Medicine and Medicine at the University of California. Davis. After conducting pilot studies on AFS, the model was modified as a certification course for public health, animal health, and agricultural professionals to learn on the Avian influenza, poultry management, public health, and prevention methods. The individuals will train other individuals on the material learned and hence, the programme based on the train-the-trainer model. A model similarly developed to AFS is also another solution in prevention and management of the Avian influenza and mobilisation.
Conclusion:
As the world grapples with the serious and public health challenge caused by Avian influenza. Addressing illness requires a multi-pronged approach in which a focus on prevention (primary and secondary), early detection, and treatment are crucial. Additional emphasis on maintaining vigilance for potential human-to-human transmission and having strategies in place such as proactive surveillance, robust biosecurity measures in poultry and dairy farms, and public health education are crucial. In addition the World Health Organization’s recommendation is adopting a multi pronged and cross disciplinary approach to address this global challenge and highlights the importance of surveillance and timely response. Data sharing and pooling resources is and protection of high-risk populations including workers is crucial
Affiliations
1 Aishwarya Narasimhadevara, M.A. , University of Kent-Brussels School of International Studies, Belgium
2 S. Hanshi, Medical Student, M.B.B.S. Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research , Delhi, India
3 Padmini Murthy, MD, MPH, MS, FAMWA, Professor Emeritus, Public Health
American Medical Women’s Association Global Health Lead and NGO Representative to the United Nations
Disclaimer :This article is published as an Op-Ed contribution on the GAIMS Blog. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Global Association of Indian Medical Students (GAIMS).