Latest news with #PreventionandControlofInfectiousandContagiousDiseasesinAnimalsAct
Hindustan Times
26-07-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Restrictions imposed to prevent spread of lumpy skin disease among cattle
Pune: To check growing outbreak of lumpy skin disease (LSD) among cattle in Pune district, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Friday declared strict restrictions for the city. The disease, which affects bovine animals (excluding buffaloes), has been spreading across nine talukas in the district, said officials. Karad, India - Sept. 6, 2022: A cow suffering from lumpy skin disease at Wagheri Village in Karad, India, on Tuesday, September 6, 2022. Many animals have got the lumpy skin disease in the village and two cows have died. (HT PHOTO) Suspected samples tested by the Regional Disease Investigation Laboratory in Aundh, Pune, have confirmed positive cases of contagious viral infection LSD. Jitendra Dudi, district collector and chairman of District Disaster Management Authority, has declared the district a 'controlled area' under the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009. PMC circular issued on Friday urges cattle owners, dairy farmers, NGOs and animal traders within the city limits to strictly follow the guidelines under the 2009 Animal Disease Control Act. As per the orders, sale, purchase, or participation of cattle (excluding buffaloes) in markets, races, fairs, or exhibitions will only be permitted if the animals are vaccinated with the Goat Pox vaccine at least 28 days in advance, and are accompanied by a valid vaccination certificate and health report from a certified veterinarian. Movement of infected or exposed animals, fodder, hides, or related materials has been prohibited. Dudi has ordered ring vaccination within a 5-kilometre radius of infection zones, deployment of additional veterinary staff where manpower is lacking, and strict implementation of barn sanitation, biosecurity protocols, and disinfection. He also appealed to cattle owners to immediately report suspected cases and seek treatment via the toll-free number 1962. 'LSD can be effectively contained with prompt treatment of infected animals, rigorous biosecurity, and 100% vaccination in affected areas. We have learned from past experiences that strict adherence to these measures prevents the disease from spreading further,' he said. Dr Nina Borade, health chief, PMC, said, 'As per a central government advisory, local bodies, including municipal corporations, councils, and gram panchayats, are implementing insect control programmes to curb the spread of disease through biting insects. Veterinary officials are closely monitoring the situation, and all necessary steps are being taken to contain the disease.' Dr Ankush Parihar, deputy commissioner of animal husbandry, Pune said the cattle population in the district is 8.46 lakh. In the ongoing 2025-26 vaccination drive, 5.80 lakh doses of the Goat Pox vaccine have been distributed and 5.70 lakh animals have been vaccinated. Additional doses are being procured to cover the remaining and newly affected areas. The district has reported 906 LSD cases in cattle till July 22, with 591 animals recovering after treatment and 15 deaths. Currently, 300 animals are under medical care, with the number steadily increasing. The worst-hit talukas include Shirur, Ambegaon, and Junnar. (With agency inputs)
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
1k horses & mules quarantined after 'virus outbreak' on Kedarnath yatra route
DEHRADUN: Over 1,000 mules and horses have been quarantined and equine services on the Kedarnath yatra route suspended for a third day after a flu-like outbreak affected horses and mules. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The quarantine was initiated after 15 animals died and symptoms of equine influenza were detected, leading to concerns over animal health and the risk of further spread. Caretakers and officials from the animal husbandry department isolated the animals showing signs such as fever, cough, and nasal discharge. The Rudraprayag district administration extended the suspension of mule services on the route, which had already been halted on Tuesday and Wednesday. A team of vets from the National Research Centre on Equines, Haryana, visited Kedarnath to assess the situation. Their report is awaited. Out of the 5,800 equines registered for the pilgrimage, 15 have died since the yatra began last week, mostly due to colic and diarrhoea. A senior veterinary officer told TOI, "Four days ago, samples were collected. As reports are still coming in, around 18 samples tested RTPCR positive for equine influenza, after which we started screening." The infected animals have been removed from the yatra. They will be re-tested after 14 days using the RTPCR method, which checks for the virus via nasal swab. Vets confirmed that EI is a highly contagious respiratory disease with high morbidity but low mortality. Veterinary teams in Rudraprayag have screened around 2,000 animals in the last two days. Nearly 700 of them are receiving treatment. Handlers have been advised to quarantine animals at their current locations. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Some have taken their equines back due to the challenging terrain and conditions. Screening and medical aid are ongoing in Gaurikund, Sonprayag, and Rampur. Dr Neeraj Singhal, director of the animal husbandry department, said, "The horses are recovering due to the rest they are getting. Soon they will resume service." Experts from GB Pant University were expected in Kedarnath by Wednesday to study symptoms such as swollen stomachs and diarrhoea, which were also observed in the equines that died. Singhal added, "The equines that died earlier had these symptoms, so samples were collected by NRCE. Now, GB Pant experts will also share their expertise with us." The Rudraprayag administration has warned against overcharging pilgrims and using home remedies on the animals, which could be considered cruelty under the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009. State animal husbandry minister Sourabh Bahuguna is expected to visit Kedarnath on Thursday morning to review the situation.
