Uttarakhand: Tension due to mysterious disease in Kedarnath! 14 horses have died, scientists are trying to find out the cause

The doors of Chardham have been opened in Uttarakhand. Chardham Yatra is also going on in full swing, but amidst all this, the death of 13 horses at Kedarnath Dham has increased everyone’s trouble. At present, the government has taken precautions and banned the operation of horses and mules on the Chardham Yatra route. Along with this, the threat of equine influenza virus is also looming over the horses and mules.

According to the information that has come out so far, eight horses died due to diarrhea and five horses died due to colic (let us tell you that colic is a disease in the stomach of horses, due to which horses often die). In such a situation, tests are being conducted to find out the actual cause of death, the report of which will come in the next 4 to 5 days. That is why the operation of horses and mules may remain closed in Kedarnath for the next few days. On Wednesday, May 7, Animal Husbandry Secretary BVR Purushottam held a press conference and gave complete information regarding the continuous deaths of horses.

Equine influenza disease is like corona

Animal Husbandry Secretary BVRC Purushottam said that just like corona infection spread in humans, equine influenza disease occurs in horses in the same way. Horses suffering from equine influenza have a runny nose, high fever and phlegm. The matter of relief is that there is no danger of this disease spreading in horses to humans, but the virus can spread very easily from one horse to another. However, the chances of death of the horse from this disease are very low.

Horses were found positive on March 26

According to Animal Husbandry Secretary BVRC Purushottam, horses were found positive in two villages of Rudraprayag district during horse sampling on March 26, 2025. After this, the Secretary held a meeting in this regard on March 28 and then on April 1, the Animal Husbandry Minister held a meeting in this regard. It was decided in the meeting that only the horse whose equine influenza report comes negative will be allowed to operate in the Chardham Yatra.

Sampling of 16 thousand horses was done

The Animal Husbandry Secretary said that from April 4 to April 28, sampling of about 16 thousand horses was done, which was tested in Srinagar and Hisar labs. Out of 16 thousand, 152 samples were found positive, but when RT-PCR test of the samples was done, not a single sample came positive. In such a situation, only those horses which were found to be equine influenza negative were sent to the Chardham Yatra.

Ban on horses and mules from UP

Every year, about three thousand horses come from UP to the Chardham Yatra, but this year a ban was imposed on horses and mules coming from Uttar Pradesh. Only those horses were sent to the Chardham Yatra, whose report came negative, yet 13 horses died in two days. Eight horses died due to diarrhea and five due to colic. In such a situation, samples have been sent to Bareilly lab to know the real cause of death of these horses. After the report comes, the real situation of death of these 13 horses will be clear.

Team of 22 veterinary doctors deployed

The Animal Husbandry Secretary said that virology has been called from National Research Center on Equines Hisar (ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines), who say that if a horse is infected with equine influenza, then it cannot be said which other disease can come in it. After the death of 13 horses, a team of 22 veterinary doctors has been deployed. Along with this, two scientists from National Research Center on Equines Hisar are also present there.

These horses will be removed from the Yatra route

Apart from this, three doctors are going to be deployed from Pantnagar, who will reach Char Dham by the evening of May 7. In such a situation, these 27 doctors will work on war footing on the travel routes. In such a situation, now the Animal Husbandry Department has decided that any horse showing symptoms of equine influenza will not be allowed to operate on the Chardham Yatra route. Along with this, the horse which does not have any symptoms of influenza will be tested first, only after that it will be allowed to operate on the travel route.

Healthy horses are being tested for operation on the Chardham Yatra route. Yesterday i.e. on May 6, 26 horses were tested. In such a situation, the sampling process will be expedited so that the healthy horses are tested as soon as possible. Every year about 8000 horses are registered for the Chardham Yatra, but this year only 5000 horses have been allowed to register.

Quarantine center built

Because if a fresh horse is operated on the travel operator route, then the risk of it getting affected is very high. A quarantine center with a capacity of 500 has been set up for infected horses on the Chardham Yatra routes. In such a situation, if a horse infected with equine influenza goes on the Kedarnath footpath, it will be quarantined in the quarantine center.

Along with the arrangement of hot water for horses and mules, special attention is being paid to cleanliness. In such a situation, when the operation of horses will start on the Chardham Yatra routes will depend on the number of healthy horses. Overall, the decision will be taken according to the local conditions. At present, the operation of horses and mules is closed in Chardham.