Surveillance increased after MCF genome found in dead spotted deer at Katraj Zoo
The deaths occurred between July 7 and 12 this year.
This case, claimed to be the first in the country involving wildlife, has also alerted other authorities, such as the animal husbandry department.
T
he MCF genome was confirmed by the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal. They conducted tests on specimens sent by the Western Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (WRDDL), Pune.
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According to the animal husbandry department, assessment of MCF was confirmed by ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases. It sent a letter on Aug 5 highlighting the rarity of finding the genome in wildlife.
"MCF is a highly fatal disease of wild and domestic ruminants, primarily caused by Ovine Herpesvirus-2 (OvHV-2), with sheep and goats serving as asymptomatic carriers and not yet reported in India," stated the letter.
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"The situation has improved in the last few days. The administration is taking all the due precautions to avoid any spread of virus or infection," said Ashok Ghorpade, head of Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC)'s garden department.
Officials of the animal husbandry department said they are keeping a watch on the situation and are ready to help the civic administration in case expert assistance is needed. Advisory has been given to PMC's zoo department after the infection came to light.
"We have told all the authorities concerned to implement strict biosecurity and movement control measures in and around the zoo, conduct regular health monitoring of wild animals in the zoo and strengthen early warning systems," said Praveenkumar Deore, commissioner, animal husbandry department.
Advice also includes steps to enhance intra-zoo surveillance, especially among deer, bison and antelopes, among others, and submit appropriate Samples to ICAR-NIHSAD.
Rajkumar Jadhav, director of the zoo, said, "MCF is not very rare; it is found in livestock and cattle."
The experts' report on the death of the spotted deer at the zoo revealed that the animal died because of foot and mouth virus infection. It did not show any prior symptoms of illness, a PMC official claimed.
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