Bird Flu Returns to India’s Poultry Belt as H5N1 Outbreaks Hit Kerala Farms

Fresh concerns have emerged across India’s poultry sector after authorities confirmed a resurgence of the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza on farms in the southern state of Kerala. Eleven separate outbreaks were recorded last month, marking the virus’s first reappearance in poultry since May and renewing fears of economic losses and wider public health risks.

Source: financialexpress

Reports submitted by Indian officials to the World Organisation for Animal Health reveal that the outbreaks were first detected on December 9 before laboratory confirmation arrived nearly two weeks later. By that time, the virus had already taken a heavy toll on affected farms. More than 54,000 birds died as a direct result of the disease, with ducks accounting for the majority of the losses. To prevent further spread, veterinary authorities ordered the culling of over 30,000 additional birds, a move that underscores the seriousness of the threat and the speed at which H5N1 can overwhelm poultry populations.

Memories of past outbreaks remain fresh for governments and industry players alike. Bird flu has repeatedly devastated flocks across multiple continents in recent years, straining supply chains, pushing up food prices and forcing farmers out of business. Each new flare-up also revives concerns about the virus crossing species barriers, a risk that keeps public health agencies on high alert even when no human cases are reported.

Kerala’s latest outbreaks come at a delicate moment for India’s poultry industry, which has been working to stabilise production after earlier disruptions. Heightened biosecurity measures, surveillance and rapid response have become critical tools in limiting damage, yet the virus’s return highlights how difficult it remains to keep farms fully protected.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely while urging strict containment measures around affected areas. For farmers, consumers and policymakers, the Kerala outbreaks serve as a stark reminder that H5N1 remains a persistent and unpredictable threat, capable of resurfacing with little warning and far-reaching consequences.