Published Date: 2024-02-26 22:35:04 GMT
Subject: PRO/AH> Foot & mouth disease - India (01): (PB) deer, zoo
Archive Number: 20240226.8715063
FOOT & MOUTH DISEASE - INDIA (01): (PUNJAB) DEER, ZOO
A ProMED-mail post http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the International Society for Infectious Diseases http://www.isid.org
Date: Sat 24 Feb 2024 20:42 EST
Source: BNN [edited]
https://bnnbreaking.com/world/india/outbreak-forces-closure-of-chhatbir-zoos-deer-safari-a-battle-against-foot-and-mouth-disease
Imagine stepping into the Chhatbir Zoo, expecting a day filled with wonder and close encounters with nature's marvels, only to find the deer safari, a crowd favorite, shuttered. The reason? A sambar deer testing positive for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), a highly contagious virus that spells trouble for ruminants. This incident at the Mahendra Chowdhry Zoological Park, more popularly known as Chhatbir Zoo, marks a significant concern for wildlife management and public health in Punjab, India. The decision to close the deer safari came as a precautionary measure to protect both the animals within the zoo's confines and the visitors from the potential spread of FMD.
Immediate Response to the Crisis
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In the wake of the outbreak, the zoo's field director, Kalpana K, and her team wasted no time in implementing bio-security measures and a preventive protocol. Their swift actions were informed by a painful history; the zoo encountered FMD back in 2018, which led to several animal casualties. This time, learning from past experiences, the zoo administration acted decisively, closing not only the deer safari but also restricting visitor access to other herbivore enclosures. The Indian Veterinary Research Institute in Bareilly played a crucial role, confirming the FMD diagnosis after testing symptomatic animals. Fortunately, this prompt response has meant that no deaths have been reported so far, with the affected animals currently under treatment.
Collaborative Efforts to Combat the Outbreak
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The zoo administration's outreach to the Animal Husbandry Department underscores the seriousness of the situation and the need for a coordinated response. The aim is to ensure that standard treatment and vaccination protocols are followed not just within the zoo, but also in the surrounding villages. This collaborative approach is vital in preventing the further spread of FMD, a disease that not only affects animals but also has repercussions for local economies and livelihoods dependent on livestock. The closure of the deer safari, while disappointing for visitors, is a necessary sacrifice in the larger battle against a disease that has the potential to wreak havoc on the region's biodiversity and agricultural stability.
Looking Ahead: Prevention and Preparedness
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The temporary closure of the deer safari at Chhatbir Zoo serves as a stark reminder of the constant threats facing our wildlife and the ecosystems they inhabit. As the zoo's veterinary team continues to treat the affected animals, the broader conversation shifts towards prevention and preparedness. The FMD outbreak is a call to action for wildlife parks, zoos, and animal husbandry departments worldwide to reassess their bio-security measures and disease prevention protocols. It highlights the importance of vigilance, rapid response, and community involvement in safeguarding the health of both animals and humans. While the deer safari remains closed, the hope is that this incident will foster greater awareness and action towards preventing future outbreaks, ensuring the safety and well-being of all creatures, big and small.
[Byline: Rafia Tasleem]
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[As indicated in the news report above, foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus has been detected in a sambar deer at the Mahendra Chowdhry Zoological Park, popularly known as Chhatbir Zoo in Punjab state, India.
"Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly transmissible disease caused by infection with an Aphthovirus, a member of the family Picornaviridae. There are 7 serotypes of the virus, termed: A, O, C, Asia 1, and SAT (Southern African Territories) 1, 2, and 3. Further diversity is found between strains within each serotype. The virus primarily affects cloven-hoofed animals of the order Artiodactyla. Livestock hosts include cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats. FMD virus has also been reported to affect >70 species of wild artiodactyls, including African buffalo, bison, giraffes, camels, and several species of deer and antelope" (https://www.msdvetmanual.com/generalized-conditions/foot-and-mouth-disease/foot-and-mouth-disease-in-animals).
The source of the virus that infected the sambar deer is hard to speculate. However, if livestock species reared around a zoo remain susceptible to the virus, they could play a role in transmitting the virus to the nearby zoo animals.
As FMD is endemic in India and as FMD vaccination is practiced in a mass scale across the country as part of FMD control program by vaccinating 100% of the cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat and pig population (https://dahd.nic.in/schemes/programmes/nadcp), the first and foremost approach to protect wildlife in captivity, such as in the Chhatbir Zoo, from the disease is to vaccinate the livestock populations around the zoo twice a year with a 6-month interval between the 2 yearly doses.
"The sambar (Rusa unicolor) is a large deer native to the Indian subcontinent, South China and Southeast Asia that is listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List since 2008. Populations have declined substantially due to severe hunting, local insurgency, and industrial exploitation of habitat" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sambar_deer). - Mod.PKB
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Punjab State, India: https://promedmail.org/promed-post?place=8715063,316]