Revised National Action Plan on Glanders narrows containment zones
Why in the news
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) has revised the National Action Plan on Glanders, with an effective date of 27 August 2025. The update narrows the zones used to contain outbreaks.
Key facts
- Infected zone: reduced from 5 km to 2 km.
- Surveillance zone: now 2 to 10 km instead of 5 to 25 km; restrictions apply only up to 10 km.
- Testing: mandatory equine testing in endemic and high-risk areas, backed by lab diagnostics.
- Other steps: quarantine and training for veterinary professionals.
- Implementers: state governments, veterinary universities, ICAR institutes and DAHD.
Old versus new zones
| Zone | Earlier | Revised |
|---|---|---|
| Infected zone | 5 km | 2 km |
| Surveillance zone | 5-25 km | 2-10 km |
About glanders
Glanders is a bacterial disease caused by Burkholderia mallei. It mainly hits horses, mules and donkeys and is zoonotic. It spreads through nasal discharge and contaminated feed, water or equipment. The ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines (NRCE), Hisar, supports diagnostics and epidemiology. The legal base is the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009.
Exam angle
- Remember 2 km and 2-10 km zones.
- Causative agent: Burkholderia mallei.
- Research partner: NRCE Hisar.