UP curbs movement of horses after glanders scare

Restrictions have been imposed on the movement of equine animals in Bijnore district.

Restrictions have been imposed on the movement of equine animals in Bijnore district after the Hisar-based National Research Centre on Equines (NRCE) found four horses suffering from the deadly glanders disease last week.

Since the bacteria can infect both animals and humans and the disease is fatal the horses have been put in isolation at their owners places until arrangements for their safe disposal are made. The owners are all poor tonga drivers.

Under the Glanders and Farcy Act,1899,and its successor the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Disease in Animals Act,2009,horses which test glanders-positive have to be euthanised. However,the Act has not been adopted by the UP government.

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We have sought advice from NRCE to decide on our next course of action, said Dr Rudra Pratap,Director of Animal Husbandry in the UP government. The district adminstration has been asked to buy the horses from the owners,he said.

Dr R K Gupta,Chief Veterinary Officer of Bijnore,confirmed that the entry of equine animals,including horses,ponies,donkeys and mules,from other districts has been restricted. Within the district,equines are not allowed to come near the area where the animals are kept.

Two horses are from Akanda,and one each from Akbarpur Gonja and Rasulpur villages in Jalilpur block. The owners brought them to the Chandpur Veterinary Hospital for treatment about 20 days ago.

Dr Bhudev Singh,who treated the animals,said,The animals were continuously suffering from fever and had also developed ulcers in the nostrils. Since the animals did not responded to treatment,he informed NRCE.

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On December 15,a team from NRCE visited Bijnore and collected samples of 37 animals,which included animals in the vicinity of the four infected animals. The reports received on December 22 confirmed glanders in four animals. Dr R K Gupta said they informed the District Administration and the Animal Husbandry Department.

The animals are still with the owners,although these are being kept in separate covered sheds. The families have been told that only one member should feed the animals and he should cover his face and hands while entering the shed.

Bijnore DM A V Rajmoli said he directed the local police to restrict the movement of equine animals in the particular area. Since the area is close to Jyotiba Phula Nagar district,inter-district equine traffic there has been stopped. A report had been sent to the commandant of the Remount Veterinary Corp (RVC) in Babugarh and Meerut.