India faces a significant risk of an H5N1 bird flu pandemic due to its vast poultry industry, extensive wetlands, and crucial migratory bird flyways. The recent deaths of three tigers and a leopard at a rescue center in Nagpur due to H5N1 have heightened public concern about the virus’s spread. H5N1, a highly contagious strain of avian influenza, can infect both animals and humans, posing a severe health threat. Experts warn that the virus’s presence in wildlife and its potential to spread to humans could lead to a larger outbreak. India’s dense population and close interaction with poultry amplify the risk. Health authorities are urging enhanced surveillance, biosecurity measures in poultry farms, and awareness campaigns to minimize the chances of a pandemic and safeguard public health.
