Equine influenza or Pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO) has been a matter of past for the racing fraternity. No one would like to go down memory lane about it. But the dark cloud of equine disease does not seem to be going away after six months. This time it has taken the tourism industry under its grip as more than 15 horses have been reportedly died at Gaurikund, Uttaranchal, under mysterious circumstances.

Ever since the outbreak of viral disease in Uttaranchal, more than 4,000 horses/mules have been withdrawn from the trek route of Kedarnath. The horses ferry visitors to the shrine, Kedarnath, from its base camp of Gaurikund. More than ten teams of veterinarians of the state, who have diagnosed virus-like symptoms, are camping-in at the Gaurikund to treat the ailing horses and mules. It is reported that the equines are suffering from high temperature and constant watering of their eyes.

The Animal Husbandry Department’s team of veterinary officers and officials from the Centre have also reached the affected area to ascertain the seriousness of the disease.

The Department is monitoring the situation by setting up control rooms at Pashulok (Rishikesh) and Rudraprayag. Like racing, healthy or unaffected mules/ horses have been segregated from the viral-affected livestock.

So far more than 1,000 horses and mules have been treated for the disease. The trainers or masters have been told specifically to keep the horses/mules on rest for at least a week.

Like Equine Influenza or Pyrexia of Unknown Origin, the virus is also not contagious to human being. A senior district veterinary officer said that the decision of withdrawing the animals from the 14-km long trek between Gaurikund and Kedarnath shrine was taken as a precaution so that the animals could get enough rest and recover rapidly before getting back to business.

The serums and other samples for further examination of the deadly virus, which made its presence felt ever since the yatra started on April 30, have been collected and sent it to the reputed laboratories.

It is noted that Kedarnath is one of the four most hallowed shrines situated at an altitude of 3,584m above the sea level. The site remains closed from November to April due to heavy snowfall and the temple is submerged under the snow. The other three shrines are Badrinath and the sources of two rivers, Gangotri and Yamunotri - the origin of the holy Ganga and Yamuna. The four form the Char Dham of the northern region of India.

Equine Influenza, which affected the horse racing industry in October and November 2008, was first detected in the livestock at Katra, Jammu and Kashmir before making its way to the other part of the Nation. Like Katra, Kedarnath is hardly 450 kilometres away from the National Capital territory.

However, it is learnt that animal husbandry department is seeking assistance from the National Veterinary Research Centre, National Research Centre on Equines and the Pantnagar Veterinary Hospital.