Avian Influenza(H5)

• Vaid's ICS, Lucknow
• 05, Jul 2021

Why in News? 

 After confirmation of Avian Influenza positive samples in two poultry farms of Panchkula district, Haryana, State has deployed 9 Rapid Response team.

Samples of crow/wild birds have been confirmed for AvianInfluenza (H5) from Surat district of Gujarat and Sirohi district of Rajasthan.

About Avian influenza (AI)            

• Avian influenza (AI) is commonly known as bird flu (viral disease of birds). This infection is caused by the influenza virus.
• Avian influenza refers to infection of birds with avian influenza Type A viruses.
• These viruses occur naturally among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species. Wild aquatic birds can be infected with avian influenza A viruses in their intestines and respiratory tract, but usually do not get sick.

How does it affects?

• The virus responsible for this infection belongs to the influenza A genus of the family Orthomyxovirida.
• Worldwide, a virus of this type is found naturally in aquatic birds. Infected birds can spread the infection to susceptible birds with the avian influenza A virus through their saliva, nasal secretions and feces.
• LPAI (less pathogenic avian influenza) is less infectious than HPAI (highly pathogenic avian influenza).
• HPAI virus can affect many internal organs of the body and can cause mortality within 90 hours -100% within 48 hours.

Facts for Prelims

Green Hydrogen:

Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) is investing Rs 75,000 crore in its new business focused on clean energy, which includes solar and green hydrogen.

• The company will build four giga factories focusing on solar, storage battery, green hydrogen and a fuel cell factory, which can convert hydrogen into mobile and stationary power.

What is green hydrogen?

Hydrogen when produced by electrolysis using renewable energy is known as Green Hydrogen which has no carbon  footprint.

• The hydrogen that is in use today is produced using fossil fuels, which is the primary source.
• Organic materials such as fossil fuels and biomass are used for releasing hydrogen through chemical processes.