Question : Glanders Disease in Horses and Mules

(a) whether the Government is aware of the reported outbreak of glanders disease in horses and mules in several States;

(b) if so, the details of samples of equines found positive, equines quelled/ died/euthanized during the last three years, State-wise;

(c) the details of compensation paid during the last three years under the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009, State-wise;

(d) whether the said disease is zoonotic in nature and if so, the measures taken by the Government to prevent the disease from spreading among humans;

(e) whether the glanders disease has been eradicated in the western world but it
is still prevalent in India and if so, the details thereof;

(f) whether the spread of glanders has indicated neglect on the part of the Department of Animal Husbandry and pathetic condition of veterinary science in the country and if so, the details thereof along with the Government’s reaction thereto; and

(g) whether there is need for a National Policy on glanders disease and if so, the
necessary steps taken by the Government in this regard?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
(MS KRISHNA RAJ)

(a) and (b) Sporadic incidences of Glanders are reported in few states in the country. The details of state wise samples positive, equine died and also number of animals culled is at Annexure I.


(c) There is no provision for providing the compensation under the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009. However, compensation is being provided on 50: 50 sharing basis between Central and State under Assistant to States for Control of Animal Disease (ASCAD), a Component of Livestock Health and Disease Control (LH & DC) scheme. The state wise details of compensation paid during the last three years is at Annexure II

(d) Glanders disease is a zoonotic in nature and its pathogen is known to affect the human beings mainly people in contact such as equine handlers, veterinarians, etc. The Central Government is issuing regular advisories to the States for preventing the spread of diseases in animals and human beings. This includes restriction of movement of animals to and fro through infected area, elimination of infected animals, disposal of carcass and public awareness etc. In addition, the Central Government is reviewing the diseases situation in regular meetings meeting with all stakeholders including the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
(e) to (g) As per the information available through the website of World Organization for Animal Health, Glanders has been eradicated from Europe, Australia and North America. But the disease is still prevalent in Middle-East, South Asia, Africa, South America & parts of Africa.
Prevention, control and containment of animal diseases is carried out by the respective states. However, the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries is supplementing the efforts of the State Government by providing financial assistance through ‘Livestock Health and Disease Control (LH&DC) Scheme. A National Action Plan for prevention, control and containment of diseases including surveillance is already in existence and State Governments take all necessary control measures for preventing spread of the disease as per the action plan.