H5N1 avian influenza virus was found in samples taken from a dead crow in Chennai. The city's Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine issued a safety advisory. "Avian influenza rarely spreads to humans," said Director A. Somasundaram. The virus mainly spreads from bird to bird but handling sick or dead birds and working in slaughterhouses requires caution. People with flu-like symptoms such as cough, fever, cold, or breathing problems should visit the nearest government health facility immediately. Residents are urged to report any unusual bird deaths in their area to the Animal Husbandry Department. They must maintain good personal hygiene with hand washing and keep their surroundings clean. It is also important to avoid eating undercooked eggs or meat. Traveling to places with bird flu outbreaks should be avoided. The advisory warns against believing rumors and provides the helpline number 104 for more information. The Animal Husbandry Department also instructed the Chennai Corporation and local municipalities to increase biosecurity, perform thorough disinfection in areas where dead crows were found, and bury bird carcasses deeply. Field necropsies are banned to stop the virus spread. The Forest Department is asked to increase monitoring in fringe areas. Earlier in January, people in Adyar, Velachery, and Neelankarai noticed many dead or dying crows. Testing by the Animal Disease Intelligence Unit in Kanchipuram confirmed H5N1 virus in crow samples from Adyar. The Union government asked local bodies to strengthen biosecurity and disinfect affected areas properly.