Why in news?
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying updated its action plan for managing glanders, a contagious equine disease, with new zones and improved surveillance measures.
About glanders
Glanders is a bacterial disease caused by Burkholderia mallei that primarily affects horses, mules and donkeys. It can spread to humans through close contact. Symptoms in animals include fever, nasal discharge, nodules on the skin and respiratory distress; in humans it causes high fever and skin ulcers. The disease is often fatal if untreated.
Key changes in the action plan
- Smaller surveillance zones: The radius of the infected zone has been reduced from 5 km to 2 km, and the surrounding surveillance zone from 25 km to 10 km. This allows more focused containment.
- Mandatory testing: Equines must be tested before movement across districts or states, and positive animals will be culled with compensation to owners.
- Enhanced quarantine: Dedicated isolation facilities will be set up near outbreak sites, and disinfectants will be provided to horse owners.
- Rapid response teams: Veterinary officers will be trained to investigate outbreaks quickly and to trace contacts.
- Capacity building: Workshops will train field staff on diagnosis and control measures. Public awareness campaigns will educate owners about symptoms and reporting.
- Research collaboration: Government laboratories will collaborate with universities to develop better diagnostic kits and vaccines.
Importance
India has a sizeable population of working equines that support transport, tourism and rural livelihoods. Controlling glanders protects animal health, prevents zoonotic transmission and safeguards the incomes of horse owners. The revised plan balances strict control with support for affected communities.