Context
Recently, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), in collaboration with ICAR-NIVEDI, organised the two-day national tabletop exercise ‘VAJRA-SAT’ in Bengaluru to strengthen India’s preparedness against Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) serotype SAT-1.
About VAJRA-SAT
- Organised by: Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), in coordination with ICAR-NIVEDI, Bengaluru.
- Theme: “Detect Early, Confirm Fast, Contain Together.”
- Objective: Strengthen surveillance, early detection, laboratory diagnosis and coordinated response to FMD serotype SAT-1.
- Participation: 83 participants from 25 States, 3 Union Territories and key national institutions.
Major Highlights
- Disease Preparedness: FMD serotype SAT-1 has not been reported in India. The exercise was conducted as a proactive preparedness initiative due to its geographical spread beyond Africa into parts of West Asia.
- Simulated Outbreak Scenarios: Participants discussed early detection, laboratory confirmation, epidemiological investigation and animal movement control.
- Emergency Response: Focused on emergency vaccination preparedness, risk communication and inter-State coordination.
- Institutional Participation: Included State Animal Husbandry Departments, ICAR institutions, veterinary laboratories, universities, vaccine manufacturers and defence and border-guarding agencies.
- FMD-Free Compartmentalisation: A separate technical meeting discussed establishing FMD-free compartments in semen production centres and semen banks to protect livestock genetic resources and facilitate safe livestock trade.
Significance
- Livestock Protection: Helps safeguard animal health and farmers’ livelihoods.
- Disease Surveillance: Strengthens early-warning systems and epidemiological intelligence.
- Laboratory Preparedness: Enhances diagnostic capacity and rapid disease confirmation.
- Transboundary Disease Control: Improves coordination among States and national institutions to prevent the spread of animal diseases.
- Livestock Economy: Supports livestock productivity and safe international livestock trade.
Conclusion
VAJRA-SAT represents a proactive approach towards strengthening India’s preparedness against transboundary animal diseases through early detection, laboratory readiness, surveillance and coordinated institutional response.
| Important CTC From This Article: Foot and Mouth Disease |