DAHD Unveils Revised National Action Plan to Combat Glanders Across India.
National
The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD), under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (MoFAHD), has released a Revised National Action Plan on Glanders, aimed at enhancing surveillance, response, and eradication of this fatal equine disease. Published in August 2025, the plan employs a robust One Health approach to safeguard both animal welfare and public health.
- The updated strategy expands disease surveillance and reporting protocols, making mandatory testing in endemic zones compulsory. The plan supports upgrading laboratory diagnostics, enforcing real-time field inspections, and establishing a digital reporting network across veterinary health systems.
- A streamlined rapid response and containment framework directs coordination between DAHD and state animal husbandry departments for swift isolation of affected equines, humane handling of positive cases, and precise containment actions to halt the spread.
Main Point :- (i) Capacity-building initiatives are integral to this plan, featuring comprehensive training for veterinarians and para-veterinary personnel. The program includes hands-on workshops on disease identification, biosafety protocols, and accurate reporting procedures for frontline veterinary workers.
(ii) Community outreach and stakeholder engagement are key components, involving awareness campaigns tailored for equine owners, breeders, and traders. These efforts focus on early reporting, adoption of preventive measures, and fostering trust and cooperation at the grassroots level.
(iii) From a research and institutional standpoint, the ICAR–National Research Centre on Equines (NRCE), Hisar, plays a pivotal role by enhancing diagnostic capabilities, conducting epidemiological studies, and leading lab proficiency programs. All efforts align with the One Health framework, recognizing potential zoonotic risks and emphasizing cross-sectoral health strategies.
About Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (MoFAH&D)
Union Minister : Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh
Headquarters: New Delhi
____________________________
