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Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Pune zoo records India's first wild animal case of deadly MCF virus
The genome of the Malignant Catarrhal Fever (MCF) virus, which records high fatality rates, was detected in a wild animal at the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, Pune, in a first for India. The finding was confirmed by the ICAR–National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal, on July 29, following tests on specimens sent by the Western Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (WRDDL), Pune. While harmless to humans, MCF poses a major threat to wildlife conservation and livestock health. In an August 5 communication, the ministry termed the detection 'a serious concern' as MCF had never before been reported in a wild animal in India. (HT FILE) Between July 6 and 12 this year, 16 spotted deer at the zoo died in a highly contagious viral outbreak. Samples from the dead animals were sent to multiple laboratories for diagnosis. On July 24, reports from the ICAR–National Institute on Foot and Mouth Disease (Bhubaneswar) and NIHSAD (Bhopal) confirmed foot and mouth disease. However, a separate NIHSAD report on July 29 confirmed the presence of the MCF genome in one of the samples. Following this, the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying issued an advisory to state authorities. In an August 5 communication, the ministry termed the detection 'a serious concern' as MCF had never before been reported in a wild animal in India. Caused primarily by Ovine Herpesvirus-2 (OvHV-2), the disease affects wild and domestic ruminants, with sheep and goats serving as symptomless carriers. There is currently no effective treatment or vaccine. The ministry directed Maharashtra's forest and animal husbandry departments to immediately enforce strict biosecurity and movement control measures in and around the zoo, enhance surveillance of susceptible species such as deer, bison, and antelopes, and ensure regular health monitoring with prompt reporting of unusual animal deaths. On August 6, Maharashtra Animal Husbandry Commissioner Dr. Pravinkumar Deore instructed district animal husbandry and forest officials to act swiftly to prevent further spread. His letter reiterated that MCF is a highly fatal disease not previously reported in India and stressed early detection, biosecurity, and inter-agency coordination. Officials were told to remain alert and report any unusual mortalities to the District Deputy Commissioner, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. However, Rajkumar Jadhav, Director of Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, denied that the zoo's animals were affected. 'This illness is generally found in cattle and livestock, and the claim that it has been identified here for the first time is not correct. Since the last reported death, we have implemented all necessary safety measures and vaccinations. The animals are now in healthy condition,' he said. A wildlife expert, requesting anonymity, called the detection 'a serious concern' given the absence of prior records of MCF in Indian wildlife. 'It is a fatal disease, and death can occur within one to three days without timely intervention. Preventive measures are often neglected, but in zoos and rescue centres, keepers and handlers must strictly follow biosafety protocols as they can be carriers of the virus directly or indirectly,' the expert said. What is MCF? Malignant Catarrhal Fever is a rare but deadly viral disease affecting cattle, bison, deer, and other ruminants. It is caused by viruses carried harmlessly by sheep and wildebeest. Transmission occurs through nasal and eye secretions from carriers, but the disease does not infect humans. Symptoms in affected animals include high fever, nasal and eye discharge, mouth sores, and rapid deterioration leading to death. There is no cure; prevention relies on separating carriers from susceptible species. Safety advisory highlights *Enforce strict biosecurity and movement control measures in and around the zoo. *Intensify surveillance of susceptible species such as deer, bison, and antelopes, and submit samples to ICAR–NIHSAD *Conduct regular health monitoring of wild animals and strengthen early warning systems.
Indian Express
26-07-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Foot and Mouth Disease caused deaths of 16 spotted deer in Pune zoo, reports confirm
The 16 chitals or spotted deer that died at the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park in Pune earlier this month were afflicted with Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), lab reports have confirmed, officials said. 'Based on the laboratory reports of samples, the expert committee has concluded that the primary cause of death of the chitals was due to FMD virus infection,' Rajkumar Jadhav, director, Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, said. 'This disease reduces the immunity of animals, especially under monsoon weather conditions, which increases stress levels and makes animals more vulnerable to fatal infections,' Jadhav added. Earlier, Jadhav had said that there were 99 spotted deer in the facility, and 15 died between July 7 and 12. The Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, which is owned by the Pune Municipal Corporation, had involved various government organisations to determine the cause of death of these animals. A team from Dr K N P College of Veterinary Science, Shirwal, and the Regional Disease Investigation Laboratory under the Maharashtra Department of Animal Husbandry was called in for the postmortem and collection of biological samples from the dead animals. The collected biological samples were sent for testing to the ICAR-National Institute on Foot and Mouth Disease in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, the ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute in Bareilly, the Regional Wildlife Research and Training Centre in Nagpur, and the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases in Bhopal. The test results and laboratory reports from Bhubaneswar matched with the earlier preliminary findings, Jadhav said, adding that as per the report from the National Institute on Foot and Mouth Disease, the chitals in the zoological park were infected with FMD virus. A wild animal health advisory committee was organised on Friday to implement effective epidemic control measures in the zoo, Jadhav said, adding that it was attended by several experts. The timely involvement of government institutions working in the region helped ensure that the postmortems were conducted and biological samples were collected, Jadhav said. 'Due to these efforts, the mortality among the animals was brought under control in a short period. Currently, the situation is under control, and the health of the affected animals is improving,' he said. Meanwhile, the PMC has issued an advisory to all cattle owners and dairy owners in the city to check their animals for lumpy skin disease as per the directions of the state government.
Hindustan Times
03-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
PMC seeks withdrawal of offence in wildlife orphanage case citing administrative oversight
Two years after a forest offence was registered under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has formally requested the forest department to withdraw the case filed against its zoo director and other officials. The PMC maintains that the irregularities observed at the now-defunct wildlife orphanage were administrative lapses—not deliberate violations. In a letter dated May 30, the PMC also requested the return of a four-horned antelope and a jackal that were seized by the forest department during an inspection in June 2023. The civic body noted that it has since secured retrospective approval from the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) for housing these animals, granted on December 8, 2023. The case stems from an April 2023 inspection by the forest department at the Wildlife Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (WARRC), operated by the Indian Herpetological Society (IHS) under a formal agreement with the PMC. Inspectors found several violations, including unauthorized long-term housing of wild animals, failure to obtain CZA permissions for breeding, and inadequate documentation. Following the inspection, a forest offence was registered on September 14, 2023, against zoo director Rajkumar Jadhav under Sections 2(16-G), 9, 39, and 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act. In its communication to the forest department, the PMC emphasized that the day-to-day operations of the orphanage were managed by the IHS, which was responsible for animal care, record-keeping, and coordination with authorities. The PMC argued that the violations were procedural oversights by the NGO, not intentional misconduct by civic officials. Citing a standing committee resolution dated February 9, 2024, the PMC noted it has officially shut down the wildlife orphanage and ended its association with IHS. Now that the matter is 'regularized,' the PMC has urged the forest department to withdraw the case and permit the return of the seized animals to the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park. Jadhav said, 'The irregularities occurred inadvertently, and no intentional harm was done to the animals. We have since obtained all required permissions from the Central Zoo Authority. As we were not directly responsible for the orphanage's management, I believe the case against me should be withdrawn.' Mahadev Mohite, deputy conservator of forest, Pune division, acknowledged the administrative nature of the violations. He said, 'The offence mainly pertains to record-keeping lapses. No animal cruelty or intentional harm was found. Since the matter involves the zoo, we will ask the PMC to submit its report to the Maharashtra Zoo Authority (MZA), which is the competent body to decide the next course of action.' However, Aditya Paranjape, wildlife warden, Pune forest department, stressed the need for accountability. 'Irregularities were identified and a case was registered. Someone must take responsibility, and appropriate action should be taken against the concerned authority or individual,' he said. IHS began its involvement with the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park in Pune around 2008, when it took on the management of the zoo's WARRC. For approximately 15 years, IHS collaborated closely with the zoo's wildlife unit, focusing on the rescue, rehabilitation, and care of reptiles and other wildlife found in urban areas. Meanwhile, the forest department's newly constructed Transit Treatment Centre (TTC), which replaces the orphanage, is now operational and reportedly running under stricter oversight.
