Texas Game Wardens cite duck hunters for baiting violation near Axtell
Reply
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Endangered giraffe dies in ‘very tragic and unfortunate incident’ at zoo
Bird Flu Outbreaks In India: Symptoms And Preventive Tips
Bird flu not only affects domestic poultry such as chickens, ducks and turkeys but can also spread through wild and migratory birds. In some cases, there’s also a risk of transmission to humans.
- Written by:Debosmita Ghosh
- Health
- Jan 01, 2026 19:12 pm IST
- Published OnJan 01, 2026 19:10 pm IST
- Last Updated OnJan 01, 2026 19:12 pm IST
Read Time:4 mins
Share https://www.ndtv.com/health/bird-flu-outbreaks-in-india-symptoms-and-preventive-tips-10170498
Cases of bird flu (avian influenza) have been reported in parts of Kerala, including Alappuzha and Kottayam. The rise in cases has led authorities in Tamil Nadu to intensify their surveillance along the border districts to prevent the disease from spreading into the state. Special preventive measures have been initiated under the supervision of Joint Director Dr Balakrishnan. Lakshmi Bhavya, Nilgiris District Collector, said that the transportation of live poultry, eggs, poultry waste and other related products from Kerala into the district has been temporarily banned as a precautionary measure.
Earlier, poultry farms in Tamil Nadu’s Namakkal district, which is one of the largest egg-producing hubs in the country, stepped up biosecurity and surveillance measures to prevent the spread of the disease. Namakkal alone accounts for nearly 1,500 poultry farms and produces millions of eggs daily, supplying markets across several Indian states and overseas.
Bird flu not only affects domestic poultry such as chickens, ducks and turkeys but can also spread through wild and migratory birds. In some cases, there’s also a risk of transmission to humans. The World Health Organization (WHO), from 2003 to August 2025, reported 990 human cases of bird flu across 25 countries. This also includes 475 deaths which indicates a 48% fatality rate. With such a high fatality rate, it is important to stay cautious and prevent the spread.
But first, what is bird flu?
Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is an infection caused by a type of influenza (flu) virus. It usually spreads in birds and animals. Humans, too, can get bird flu when they’re in close proximity to infected animals. Cleveland Clinic says that it’s extremely rare that the infection spreads from person to person.
LATEST
Why US Attacked Venezuela, Captured President Nicolas Maduro
Venezuela Demands “Proof Of Life” As Trump Says Maduro Captu
India Squad vs NZ: Pant Named In Gill-Led Team, Bumrah Misse
How World Reacted To Venezuelan Leader Maduro’s Capture By U
Live Updates: Venezuela Seeks UN Security Council Meeting Af
1st Youth ODI Live: Rare Reason Halts Play. India U19 268/7
All About Cilia Flores: Nicolas Maduro’s Wife Who Was Captur
Big BCCI Move After Shah Rukh Khan Faces Fury Over KKR’s Ban
6,6,6,6,6,4: Hardik Pandya Slams 5 Sixes In One Over, Regist
What Is Delta Force, The Elite US Special Forces Unit That C
Brother Country: Maduro’s Olive Branch To US In Last Intervi
Hindu Man Khokon Das Dies After Being Beaten, Set On Fire In
BCCI Given Clear Message As Mustafizur’s IPL Participation T
Why US Attacked Venezuela, Captured President Nicolas Maduro
Venezuela Demands “Proof Of Life” As Trump Says Maduro Captu
India Squad vs NZ: Pant Named In Gill-Led Team, Bumrah Misse
How World Reacted To Venezuelan Leader Maduro’s Capture By U
Live Updates: Venezuela Seeks UN Security Council Meeting Af
1st Youth ODI Live: Rare Reason Halts Play. India U19 268/7
All About Cilia Flores: Nicolas Maduro’s Wife Who Was Captur
Big BCCI Move After Shah Rukh Khan Faces Fury Over KKR’s Ban
6,6,6,6,6,4: Hardik Pandya Slams 5 Sixes In One Over, Regist
What Is Delta Force, The Elite US Special Forces Unit That C
Brother Country: Maduro’s Olive Branch To US In Last Intervi
Hindu Man Khokon Das Dies After Being Beaten, Set On Fire In
BCCI Given Clear Message As Mustafizur’s IPL Participation T
Humans can get bird flu when they come in contact with an infected animal’s body fluid, like spit (saliva), milk, respiratory droplets or poop (feces). They might breathe it in from small dust particles in animal habitats or get it into their eyes, nose or mouth after touching body fluids. According to Cleveland Clinic, “You don’t get bird flu from eating properly cooked poultry or eggs or from drinking pasteurised milk. Any flocks known to have avian flu virus are immediately taken out of the human food supply.” However, you should be extremely cautious and take necessary steps when you spot any sign of bird flu. Check out the symptoms and preventive tips of bird flu.
Symptoms of Bird Flu
- Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Cough
- Muscle aches
- Sore throat
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Shortness of breath (dyspnoea)
Symptoms can be mild or severe. To prevent bird flu, focus on avoiding exposure to infected birds or contaminated environments while maintaining hygiene. Here are some of the ways to prevent bird flu.
Preventive Tips for Bird Flu
1. Avoid Bird Contact
Stay away from sick or dead wild birds, poultry farms, live bird markets, and dairy farms with ill animals. Also, if you come across any unusual bird deaths, report it to the authorities and let them handle it. This limits direct transmission from infected sources.
2. Cook Foods Properly
Thoroughly cook poultry, eggs, and meat to at least 165 degree farhenheit (75 degree celcius) internal temperature to kill the virus. Consume only pasteurised dairy and avoid raw or undercooked products.
3. Practice Hand Hygiene
Wash hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after touching birds, surfaces, raw poultry, or outdoor items like feeders. Use sanitiser if soap is unavailable. This removes any viral particles effectively.
4. Use Protection
Wear PPE like masks, gloves, and eye protection during unavoidable contact with birds or animals. Change clothing and footwear after you come in contact. Biosecurity helps to protect high-risk groups like farmers.
5. Stay Vaccinated
Get annual human flu shots to avoid risks of co-infection. Follow local health advisories on outbreaks and avoid travel to affected regions if possible.
(With inputs from IANS)
Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.
How A Potential Bird-Flu Pandemic Could Play Out
Odisha man arrested for setting 16 animal-hunting explosive traps
Hunt the hunters hunting season
Satire, by Jim Robertson (with a nod to the late Cleveland Amory, author of Mankind?: Our Incredible War on Wildlife and founder of the Hunt the Hunters Hunt Club):
In a comment on one of the many tragic hunting accidents I’ve blogged about lately, a gentle reader mentioned there should be a hunt the hunters hunting season, to which another compassionate soul replied, “I’d contribute to that.”
We’ve all heard (ad nauseam) hunters boast that their license fees pay for wildlife programs, implying that it entitles them to kill the subjects of their alleged generosity—of course hunters don’t contribute out of the kindness of their hearts or their profound love for living animals. This got me to thinking we need a non-hunter license and tag system that emulates hunter tags, to finally put to rest this notion that hunters alone pay for wildlife through their consumptive use licenses. There have been some good ideas out there about this; people have floated the notion of a non-hunters duck stamp, for instance, but those have yet to really take off.
Perhaps it’s because non-hunters wouldn’t get anything tangible for their money. Sure, they could bring back a photo or wonderful memories of the amazing wildlife they saw at a quiet slice of heaven preserved for the wild non-human species of the Earth. But how does that really compare to the kind of meaty trophy a hunter takes home with him? (Sorry, or her; I keep forgetting that more and more women are now being lured into the blood sport.) Hunters can pet and fondle the bodies of their dead victims, and even ingest certain parts they don’t plan to mount on the wall.
The only way a non-hunter can have such a tactile experience is if they can actually bring their “harvests” home with them. Granted, a human carcass doesn’t have the popular appeal of say, a mounted deer, elk, moose, goose, sheep or bear, but to the one who made that good, clean kill shot, it’s a symbol of their prowess and their mighty-yet-selfless effort to thin the hunter herd.
Fortunately, state game departments have given us a model to go by. State residents’ licenses would be kept at an affordable price, while out of state hunter hunters would have to contribute more to the coffers. Logically, someone would have to be hired to insure there were plenty of hunters out there to harvest; and who better for that job than the experienced wildlife “managers.” After all, they’ve been doing their darnedest to recruit more hunters for years now.
Tags for different breeds of hunters could emulate hunting tags for specific non-human animal species. (For those unsure of which sub-species of hunter they’re aiming at, check the archives of the C.A.S.H. Courier for, “A Field Guide to North American Hunters”). Obviously a tag for the average Elmer would cost less than a tag for a globe-trotting trophy hunter.
Since they’re among the most sadistic, and are the least likely to lay down their weapons and make peace with the animals willingly, out-of-state hunting licenses to hunt wolf hunters will hereby be reduced from $250 to $50. And wolf hunter tags for residents will be similarly underpriced at around $15, since the goal is ultimately to eliminate that breed altogether.
Exposing the Big Game 