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Picture Courtesy:  HINDUSTAN TIMES

Context:

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) officially recognized India's first Equine Disease-Free Compartment (EDFC) at the Remount Veterinary Corps (RVC) Centre & College in Meerut Cantonment, Uttar Pradesh.

About Equine Disease-Free Compartment (EDFC)

An EDFC is a scientifically managed, globally recognized area where horses are guaranteed to be free from specific equine diseases.

It represents a defined sub-population of animals with a distinct health status, maintained through stringent biosecurity and animal husbandry practices.

Global Recognition => The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), an intergovernmental organization responsible for improving animal health worldwide, officially recognizes these compartments. This recognition signifies that the EDFC adheres to the highest international standards, validating its disease-free status.

Operational Framework => The EDFC operates under comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that cover all aspects of animal health and biosecurity. These SOPs ensure continuous commitment to international best practices in areas such as:

• Measures to prevent any specific disease from entering the compartment.
• Strict management of pests like insects and rodents that can transmit diseases.
• Robust fencing, controlled access points, and surveillance systems to prevent unauthorized entry or exit.
• Regular cleaning and disinfection of premises, equipment, and transport vehicles.
• Continuous veterinary surveillance, regular testing, and health checks of all horses within the compartment.
• Proper disposal of waste materials to prevent disease spread.

Diseases Declared Free in India's EDFC

• Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA): Also known as swamp fever, a persistent viral disease.
• Equine Influenza: A highly contagious respiratory disease.
• Equine Piroplasmosis: A tick-borne parasitic disease affecting red blood cells.
• Glanders: A severe bacterial disease primarily affecting horses, donkeys, and mules, and transmissible to humans.
• Surra (Trypanosomiasis): A parasitic disease transmitted by biting flies.

India maintains its historical freedom from African Horse Sickness since 2014.

Significance for India

The EDFC is a major step towards allowing Indian sport horses to move internationally in compliance with stringent global biosecurity and animal health standards.  

With robust biosecurity protocols and strict veterinary surveillance, Indian sport horses from this facility can now travel and compete abroad.  

The EDFC supports the broader development of the entire horse-related ecosystem in India.  

Source: 

PIB