Horses and Mules in Rudraprayag Infected with Equine Influenza, Kedarnath Yatra Registration Halted

With just weeks to go before the Kedarnath Yatra, a worrying situation has emerged in Rudraprayag district. Several horses and mules—essential for ferrying pilgrims on the steep trek—have been infected with Equine Influenza (Horse Flu), leading authorities to suspend registration camps for the next ten days and impose a ban on the movement of these animals across the district.

Outbreak in Multiple Villages

According to reports, the outbreak has been detected in the Basu Kedar sub-tehsil, affecting the villages of Biron, Bashti, Jalay, and Mansuna in the Madmaheshwar Valley. A total of 16 horses and mules have shown symptoms of high fever, nasal discharge, persistent cough, and skin rashes. The infected animals are also unable to drink water, raising concerns about dehydration and worsening health conditions.

Upon receiving complaints from villagers, a team of veterinarians from the Animal Husbandry Department rushed to the affected areas. They have collected blood samples from the sick animals and sent them to the National Equine Research Institute in Hisar, Haryana for further examination.

Precautionary Measures: District-Wide Ban and Legal Warning

Given the highly contagious nature of Horse Flu, authorities have banned the movement of all horses and mules across Rudraprayag district until further notice. Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Ashish Rawat has confirmed that the virus spreads rapidly through respiratory droplets and can infect entire herds in a short period.

Officials have also issued a strict legal warning to animal owners, stating that anyone violating the movement ban will face legal action under the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009 (X-27 of 2009).

Impact on Kedarnath Yatra Preparations

The Kedarnath Yatra sees lakhs of devotees every year, with many relying on horses and mules to complete the challenging trek. As part of pre-yatra preparations, authorities conduct mandatory health check-ups, insurance, and registration for these animals. However, with the ongoing outbreak, these processes have been put on hold for at least ten days.

Recovery Period and Future Precautions

Veterinarians estimate that infected animals typically recover within 20 to 25 days, although some may suffer from long-term complications. The authorities are closely monitoring the situation and will decide on the next course of action based on test results from Hisar.