Tamil Nadu is facing a renewed avian influenza (bird flu) alert, following the discovery of a large number of dead crows across Chennai and surrounding areas and laboratory confirmation of the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus. Reports indicate that an estimated 1,000-1,500 crows have died in neighbourhoods such as Adyar, Velachery, Thiruvanmiyur and along the East Coast Road, prompting the Central government to urge the state to strengthen preventive action. This is especially worrying because quite recently, bird flu cases were detected in crows in Darbhanga, Bihar.
Bird flu viruses particularly H5N1, are naturally found in wild birds and can spill over into domestic poultry and, in rare cases, humans and other mammals. While there have been no confirmed human cases in Tamil Nadu so far, officials are stepping up surveillance, biosecurity and public health precautions to limit any potential threat. The alert highlights the ongoing need for vigilance in regions where avian influenza has been previously detected in wild birds and poultry, including nearby states.
As authorities intensify monitoring and containment measures, residents are being advised on precautions to reduce the risk of infection, particularly for people who live near bird habitats, handle poultry, or work with animals.
What’s Behind the Bird Flu Alert in Chennai?
Local authorities, with support from the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, confirmed that samples collected from dead crows in Kanchipuram and Chennai tested positive for the H5N1 avian influenza virus at the ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) laboratory in Bhopal. This strain is considered highly pathogenic, meaning it can spread quickly among birds and has the potential to jump species.