Experts caution against glanders, a dreaded equine disease

Hisar, Oct 31 (UNI) Glanders, a dreaded equine disease has re-emerged in the country, threatening the horse-family animals largely in northern region and in some parts of western and southern region, Dr S K Dwivedi, Director, National Research Centre on Equines (NRCE) said here today.

He was speaking to media persons after presiding over the meeting of Directors of Animal Husbandry from various states. The urgent meeting was convened in the wake of the re-emergence of the dreaded disease.

Explaining that NRCE was a national referral institute engaged in surveillance and monitoring of the disease in horses, ponies, mules and donkeys, Dr Dwivedi said,"We have been able to identify the disease wherever it has occurred in the country.

Today's meeting of heads of animal husbandry departments was aimed at impressing upon the principal caretakers the intensity of the glanders problem and its far-reaching adverse effects on horse family livestock as well as humans, the Directorsaid.

''The scientists and employees engaged in equine rearing should be extra-cautious in identification and containment of this disease because widespread loss could occur and weaker section of society will be at major risk if any further delay is made in identification and containment of the disease,'' he cautioned.

It was necessary to be extra vigilant to identify and contain the disease as per Glanders and Farcy Act 1899 as the the organism of this disease was known as most notorious agent since World Wars and could be used as biological warfare agent, he said.

''We have collected the information from state governments in order to work jointly to fight out this catastrophic problem at national level,'' Dr Dwivedi said.

UNI