Surra has been confirmed in Manipuri ponies in Kakching district after ICAR-NRCE tests, with the Veterinary Department starting treatment and disease control.
Imphal, Oct. 2: The presence of Trypanosoma evansi, commonly known as Surra, has been confirmed in Manipuri ponies in and around Hiyanglam and Wabagai in Kakching district, following diagnostic tests conducted by the ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines (ICAR-NRCE), Hisar.
The Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry, Manipur said it initiated an investigation after receiving reports of illness among ponies in the affected areas. The reported clinical signs included high fever, nasal discharge, weakness, difficulty in breathing, coughing and swelling around the brisket and hind limbs.
Mobile Veterinary Units and a team from Kakching Veterinary Hospital visited the affected areas on separate occasions, examined the animals and provided symptomatic treatment, the department said.
Samples including nasal swabs, whole blood and serum were collected from eight Manipuri ponies on September 24. The samples were processed at the Disease Investigation Laboratory, Sanjenthong, before being sent to ICAR-NRCE, Hisar, on September 26 for further diagnostic investigation.
The ICAR-NRCE communicated the test results to the department by email received on October 2, confirming that the samples had tested for Trypanosoma evansi (Surra) and advising the initiation of appropriate treatment.
Following the confirmation, the Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department has started specific treatment and veterinary management of the affected animals.
According to the department, Surra is mainly transmitted through blood-feeding biting flies. It added that the present occurrence does not pose a general zoonotic threat to the public.
The department has also requested ICAR-NRCE, Hisar, to send an expert team to Manipur for further investigation, field assessment and technical guidance.
Pony owners have been advised not to panic and to maintain proper hygiene and appropriate animal management practices. They have also been asked to minimise exposure of animals to biting flies and avoid moving sick ponies.
The department has urged owners to promptly report animals showing symptoms such as fever, nasal discharge, weakness, breathing difficulty, coughing or swelling to the nearest Veterinary Hospital, Veterinary Dispensary or Mobile Veterinary Unit.
For assistance, owners can contact the Veterinary Department's toll-free number 1962.
The department also appealed to pony owners and the general public to cooperate with veterinary teams carrying out surveillance, treatment and other disease-control measures.
