RINDERPEST ERADICATION PROGRAMME IN MIZORAM DURING 2005-06

RINDERPEST ERADICATION PROGRAMME IN MIZORAM DURING 2005-06

Mizoram is located in the Northeastern corner of India occupying an area of 21,087 Sq.Km. Mizoram is bounded by Myanmar (Burma) in the East and South, Bangladesh in the West Assam and Manipur in the North and Tripura in the West. The State is divided into 8 (eight) Civil Administrative Districts whereas the State Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Department is having 6 (six) functional Administrative Districts at present.

1.                  PRESENT STATUS :

Mizoram, which falls under Zone ‘A’ State is still maintaining its status as a ‘Free from Rinderpest’. As prescribed by NPRE, the State Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Department is actively pursuing various activities like Village/Stock Route Search, Sero-surveillance, Day Book Inspection etc. in the State and monthly report is being sent regularly to NPRE, Govt. of India.

There are 8 (eight) Nos. of Rinderpest Check Posts-cum-Surveillance units in the State as given below. All animals entering into the State through these check posts are closely monitored and recorded.

Vairengte, Hnahlan ,Ruantlang ,Vaphai ,Thingsai, Phura,Tlabung ,Zawlnuam.

                 Besides the above Rinderpest Check Posts-cum-Surveillance Units, all the existing filed Veterinary Institutions given below along with their man-power are involving fully in various activities concerning NPRE.

      Veterinary Hospitals                 -           6 Nos.

      Veterinary Dispensaries           -           39 Nos.

      R.A.H. Centres                        -           96 Nos.

There are 4(four) Nos. Disease Investigation Laboratories in the State located at Aizawl, Champhai, Lunglei and Kolasib. The Disease Investigation Laboratory at Aizawl is fully functional which is headed by Disease Investigation Officer with other supporting Staff. The Laboratory is equipped with instruments/equipments provided by NPRE and also functions as State Disease Investigation Laboratory. However, the other Disease Investigation Laboratories are not yet functioning fully due to shortage of man power and equipments.

‘The Mizoram Regulation of Animal Movement Rules 2001’ is now in force in Mizoram which is being implemented in full swing. This Rule will regulates all inter State as well as inter-country movement of animals into the State and greatly helps in implementation of NPRE activities.

Q. What is Rinderpest anyway?

Disease and cause

         Rinderpest is an acute, usually fatal, viral disease principally of cattle. The disease affects the gastrointestinal and respiratory systems. It is a devastating disease of cattle and some wild artiodactyls (African buffalo, giraffe, eland and kudu) with death rates during outbreaks approaching 100%. Rinderpest is caused by a virus belonging to the family Paramyxoviridae.

Species affected

          Cattle and buffalo are highly susceptible and rinderpest is most frequently seen in these species. Sheep and goats may develop clinical signs but serious disease is uncommon. Disease occurs but may be in apparent in camels, deer and pigs. Humans are not affected.

Distribution

             The disease occurs in parts of Africa, the Middle East, Pakistan, India and Nepal. An outbreak in Russia was reported to OIE in 1998. It has been eliminated from China, India and most of South East Asia. There was an occurrence of rinderpest in Western Australia in 1923 that was quickly eradicated. The disease has never recurred in Australia.

Key signs

             There is sudden onset of fever, followed by depression, loss of appetite, reduced milk production, nasal and eye discharges and labored, rapid breathing. Irregular erosions appear in the mouth, lining of the nose and genital tract. Acute diarrhoea is a common feature of the disease. Most animals die 6-12 days after onset of clinical signs.

Spread

           The virus is excreted 1-2 days before clinical signs are observed. Virus is found in expired air, eye and nose discharges, saliva, faeces, urine and milk. Transmission is mainly through aerosols. Infection spreads to new areas by movement of infected animals. Recovered animals have a solid immunity and there is no known chronic carrier state. Indirect transmission by clothing, equipment and so on, is unlikely as the virus does not persist in the environment.

Persistence of the virus

           The virus is relatively heat-sensitive, being rapidly inactivated at 56°C, and does not persist in the environment. The virus can be detected in the milk of recovered animals up to 45 days after recovery and occurs in milk 1-2 days before clinical signs develop. The virus is sensitive to a wide range of disinfectants.

Control strategy

          The strategy if an outbreak occurs:

1. Stamping out to remove the source of infection

2. Strict quarantine and movement controls to prevent spread

3. Decontamination to eliminate the virus

4. Tracing and surveillance to detect the extent of infection

5. Zoning to define infected and disease-free areas. 

Vaccines are available and may be considered in certain circumstances.