Bird Flu Alert in Tamil Nadu: Why Authorities Remove Birds During Avian Influenza Outbreaks

Hundreds of dead crows in and around Chennai have set off a renewed H5N1 bird flu alert in Tamil Nadu, prompting officials to take steps — including removing infected or at-risk birds — to try to contain the virus and protect poultry and public health.

What Triggered the Alert in Tamil Nadu?

• More than 1,500 dead crows were found across parts of Chennai, and laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus among the wild birds.
• This detection has led the state and central authorities to intensify surveillance, including monitoring bird deaths and alerting veterinary and public health teams across the state.
• No human infections have been reported so far, and officials have emphasised that human transmission remains extremely rare except in close, prolonged contact with infected birds or their carcasses.

Why Birds Are Removed During Outbreaks

Experts say removing birds — both infected and those suspected of exposure — is a key part of controlling avian influenza outbreaks. This is done because:

● The Virus Spreads Rapidly Among Birds

The H5N1 strain is highly contagious in bird populations. Wild birds, particularly crows and waterfowl, can carry and spread the virus through:

• direct contact with other birds
• droppings, feathers, and shared water sources
• migratory movements between habitats

Removing infected or exposed birds helps stop wider circulation of the virus.

● Protecting Commercial Poultry

Tamil Nadu is home to large poultry industries, and an outbreak among commercial flocks could devastate farms, leading to:

• large-scale bird deaths
• major economic losses for farmers
• disruptions to egg and poultry availability

By removing birds near confirmed or suspected infections, authorities aim to limit the virus before it spreads to domestic poultry.

● Reducing Risk to Humans

Although bird flu rarely infects people, close contact with infected birds or carcasses can lead to human illness. Removing and safely disposing of such birds under biosecure conditions helps minimise even this low risk.

How Removal and Surveillance Work

When bird flu is confirmed or suspected:

• Veterinary teams set up alert and surveillance zones around affected areas.
• Birds that test positive or show signs of infection may be removed and safely disposed of (by burial or incineration) to prevent further spread.
• Biosecurity measures — disinfection, movement restrictions, and reporting systems — are put in place to limit contact between infected and healthy birds.
• Local residents are urged not to touch dead birds and to report unusual deaths promptly.

These steps are part of standard outbreak response protocols used around the world to contain avian influenza.

What the Public Should Know

Health authorities in Tamil Nadu have also issued advisory guidance to the public, emphasising:

• Avoid handling dead birds directly
• Report unusual bird deaths quickly
• Maintain strict hygiene around poultry and live bird areas
• Properly cook poultry products — cooked chicken and eggs are safe to eat

Officials have stressed there is no need to panic, while also maintaining heightened vigilance to prevent the virus from spreading further.

As surveillance and response efforts expand across Tamil Nadu, veterinary and public health teams continue monitoring both wild and domestic birds, aiming to catch signs of the virus early and protect both animal and human health.