The death of many crows in Vedasandur in Tamil Nadu over the last few days has caused fear among the locals over the spread of H5N1 bird flu, which caused headlines earlier this month. However, officials said there was no need to worry and that a probe was underway to ascertain the reason behind what killed the birds.
A health official has allayed concerns of bird flu.
Officials also dismissed reports of mass deaths numbering up to 100. While there have been recent deaths of one or two crows, on February 8, about six to seven crows died, causing some anxious moments for the public, they said. “There have been deaths of one or two crows, and not as mentioned in some media reports of about 100. On February 8, about six to seven crows died. We got information about the dead crows. We collected them and buried them,” the official told PTI.
According to officials, the Vedasandur taluk in Dindigul district is home to several old trees and dense vegetation, which attracts a large number of birds, including crows. “There is no need for any health concerns. We have informed the veterinarians who have collected some samples (from the dead crows) and are investigating the cause of deaths,” he added.
Last week, Chennai was put on a high alert after hundreds of dead crows were found across the city, with laboratory tests confirming the presence of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus.
Bird flu happens from a type of virus that spreads among birds and other animals. You might hear about bird flu when there’s an outbreak affecting large numbers of birds or other animals. This is concerning because it can increase the risk of human infection, affect wildlife, and reduce the food supply.
There have been ongoing cases of human infections in the US since 2024.
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Even though bird flu outbreaks are not uncommon in India, every new cluster raises the same question: Can it spread to people?
H5N1 is a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza that primarily affects birds, particularly domestic poultry such as chickens and ducks. Infected birds often die suddenly, which is why authorities move quickly to cull affected flocks, restrict movement, and disinfect farms. In Chennai, animal health officials have activated surveillance zones and biosecurity protocols to prevent further spread.
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