Bird flu and Bird migratory pattern

Bird flu and Bird migratory pattern

Subject: Environment and health

Context:

Subject: Rising bid flu cases in India has impacted mainly poultry but many states like Kerala, Himachal Pradesh forests have reported bird flu in migratory birds raising concern about many endangered species.

Concept:

• forest and protected areas of Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, and Kerala Reported bird flu from migratory duck species mainly.
• Advisory for strict vigil on the wintering habitats of migratory birds including wetlands for any mortality or outbreak signs.
• Most migratory waterfowl species are known to be carriers of the H5N1 virus (it can jump from birds to mammals and also spreads through fomites or infected surfaces). Ex- Reports of red junglefowl (considered rugged species) being infected is a dangerous sign.
• The avian influenza virus normally does not jump over to humans is easily transmitted from migratory species to domestic birds and has great potential to completely damage our poultryand even pigs.
• It also threatens many endangered species like vultures as they come in contact with the migratory birds.
• Affected birds have symptoms such as tremors, diarrhoea, head tilt, and paralysis.
• Most domestic birds are kept away from wild birds but as domesticated ducks feed in the same paddy fields where wild ducks also feed and sometimes poultry fields are also near to areas near poultry farm there is chances of growing bird flu if care is not taken.
• Care has to be taken in protected areas, wetlands and wildlife areas attracting migratory birds.

About migratory birds:

• Migratory birds are those birds moving from one habitat to another during different times of the year, due to various factors such as food, sunlight, temperature, climate, etc.
• The movement between habitats, can sometimes exceed thousands of miles/kilometres for some migratory birds. A migratory route can involve nesting and also requires the availability of habitats before and after each migration.
• Every year September and October sees huge migration of birds to India from Northern hemisphere.
• Like our highways, we have nine flyways in the world that the waterbirds use for migration,” says S Sivakumar, scientist at Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS).
• For Asia, it is the Central Asian Flyway that covers 30 countries including India at the tail end with huge landmass and habitat variations, especially the wetlands.
• When daylight shrinks and there is shortage of food supply at the breeding sites, the birds take the cue and start migrating towards wintering sites in the South. The return journey begins in March or April.
• India receives birds from 29 countries during migration.

About Bird Flu:

AVIAN INFLUENZA – Optimize IAS