A report by Agriculture Ministry notes the return of Bird Flu

Bird Flu returns: The highly contagious bird flu virus is reported to be back in India. A report from the Indian agriculture ministry noted that according to the World Organisation for Animal Health, there is an outbreak of the disease near Bengaluru in Karnataka, according to Reuters. As per the report, the H5N8 virus was detected on 26 December among birds in the village of Dasarahalli, killing 9 out of 951 birds. The others were culled, the Paris-based OIE said in a report posted on its website. However, no details have been furnished on the type of birds involved.

Earlier, an outbreak of the H5N1 virus in India in 2006 led to many cases of ill-health. Bird flu, also known as avian influenza or avian flu is a kind of influenza that is caused by viruses adapted to birds. The disease is transmitted to humans through contact with infected bird faeces, nasal secretions, or secretions from the mouth or eyes.

As per health experts, preventing contact with infected birds and undercooked poultry food helps in avoiding the disease.