Sat Apr 19 17:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Indian Researchers Criticized for Delayed Release of H5N1 Virus Data

**New Delhi, April 20, 2025** – The National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune, India, is facing criticism for its delayed release of crucial genomic data related to the H5N1 avian influenza virus. This follows the death of a two-year-old girl in Andhra Pradesh from the virus in March, and the identification of a reassortant H5N1 virus in cats in Madhya Pradesh.

While the NIV confirmed the H5N1 infection in the child in late March, vital information about the specific clade of the virus—crucial for understanding its transmissibility—remains unavailable weeks later. This slow release of information mirrors past incidents involving Zika, Nipah, and monkeypox viruses, where NIV data only became public after significant delays, often tied to journal publications.

This contrasts sharply with the rapid response of the Victorian Department of Health in Australia, which swiftly released complete genomic data, including clade details, to the WHO after confirming an H5N1 case in a child returning from India in 2024. The Australian data, including the genome sequence, was posted on the public GISAID database within days.

The concern is heightened by the discovery of a reassortant H5N1 clade 2.3.2.1a virus in cats in Madhya Pradesh. Researchers at the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal promptly shared details of this reassortant virus, including its clade and the preprint of their findings. This reassortant strain shows mutations suggesting potential for enhanced infection in mammals, raising concerns about the risk of human transmission. The World Organisation for Animal Health reports 99 cats infected with H5N1 globally, with 18 fatalities.

Experts warn that the delay in releasing information hinders effective public health responses and surveillance efforts. The lack of transparency surrounding the H5N1 clade in the Andhra Pradesh case prevents a comprehensive understanding of the virus’s potential for further spread. The NIV’s prioritization of journal publications over immediate data sharing is drawing considerable criticism.

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