EXERCISE VAJRA-SAT: INDIA'S NATIONAL DRILL FOR FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE

Why In News?

The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) concluded "VAJRA-SAT" to strengthen India's preparedness for Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD). 

What Is Exercise VAJRA-SAT?

Purpose

• Preparedness Drill: VAJRA-SAT is a national exercise to test how prepared India's veterinary system is to detect and respond to an FMD outbreak.  

• Simulation Exercises: Simulation exercises recreate an outbreak scenario so authorities can practise detection, reporting, containment, vaccination and coordination before a real emergency. 

Likely Objectives

• Rapid Detection: Test surveillance and laboratory confirmation of suspected cases. 

• Containment: Practise quarantine, movement restrictions and ring vaccination.  

• Coordination: Improve coordination between the Centre, States, laboratories and field veterinarians.  

• Communication: Test how quickly farmers and the public are informed.  

Global Practice

• Common Worldwide: Countries such as Brazil, Australia and members of the European Union regularly hold FMD simulation exercises, reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). 

What Is Foot-And-Mouth Disease?

• Cause: FMD is caused by a virus of the Aphthovirus genus (family Picornaviridae).  

• Animals Affected: It affects cloven-hoofed animals, such as cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats and pigs. 

• Symptoms: Fever, blisters in the mouth and on the feet, drooling, lameness and a sharp fall in milk yield. 

• Highly Contagious: It spreads through direct contact, contaminated feed and equipment, and even through the air.  

• Not A Human Threat: FMD is not considered a public health threat, as human infection is very rare.  

• Serotypes: The virus exists in seven distinct serotypes: O, A, C, SAT 1, SAT 2, SAT 3, and Asia 1 (with O, A, and Asia 1 being the most prevalent in India).

Why Does FMD Matter For India?

Economic Impact

• Heavy Losses: FMD reduces milk yield, causes abortions and infertility, weakens draught animals and causes deaths in young animals.   

• Largest Dairy Sector: India is the world's largest milk producer, so FMD threatens the livelihoods of millions of farmers.  

Trade Impact

• Export Barriers: Countries without FMD-free status face restrictions on exports of meat and dairy products. 

• Buffalo Meat Exports: India is a leading exporter of buffalo meat, so FMD control is vital for trade. 

Livelihood Impact

• Small Farmers Hit Hardest: Most livestock owners are small and marginal farmers, for whom losing even one animal is a major setback.  

How Is India Controlling FMD?

National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP)

• Launch: Launched in 2019 at Mathura, Uttar Pradesh.  

• Target Diseases: It targets FMD and brucellosis. 

• Fully Centrally Funded: The Centre bears 100% of the cost. 

• Goals: Control FMD through vaccination and eventually eradicate it.  

• Mass Vaccination: It aims to vaccinate cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats and pigs every six months.  

Livestock Health And Disease Control Programme (LHDCP)

• Umbrella Scheme: NADCP now forms part of the broader LHDCP, which supports vaccination, mobile veterinary units and affordable veterinary medicines. 

Research Institutions

• ICAR–National Institute on Foot and Mouth Disease: Located in Bhubaneswar, it leads FMD research, diagnosis and vaccine strain selection.

One Health Approach

• Integrated Preparedness: India is linking human, animal and environmental health through a One Health approach.  

• Example: In August 2024, India conducted "Vishanu Yuddh Abhyas", a national One Health mock drill in Ajmer, to test response to a zoonotic disease outbreak. This shows a growing culture of preparedness drills.

What Are The Key Challenges?

Vaccination Gaps

• Incomplete Coverage: Reaching every animal every six months is difficult, especially in remote areas.  

• Cold Chain: FMD vaccines must be kept cold, which is hard to maintain in rural areas. 

Animal Movement

• Uncontrolled Movement: Animals are moved across districts and States for trade and grazing, which spreads infection.

Surveillance And Reporting

• Under-Reporting: Farmers may not report sick animals quickly, fearing losses or restrictions.  

• Lab Capacity: Some regions lack quick diagnostic facilities.  

Staff Shortage

• Few Veterinarians: India has a shortage of veterinarians and para-vets relative to its huge livestock population.  

Lessons From Outbreaks

• Severe Costs Of Failure: Weak preparedness can turn an outbreak into a national crisis. 

• Example: The 2001 FMD outbreak in the United Kingdom led to the culling of millions of animals and cost the economy billions of pounds, showing why drills like VAJRA-SAT are valuable. 

What Is The Way Forward?

Strengthen Vaccination

• Full Coverage: Ensure timely six-monthly vaccination of all susceptible animals, with digital tracking through animal identification (ear tagging).  

• Improve Cold Chain: Upgrade vaccine storage and transport in rural areas.  

Better Surveillance

• Early Warning: Expand disease surveillance networks and rapid testing.  

• Digital Reporting: Use digital platforms for real-time reporting by veterinarians and farmers. 

Build FMD-Free Zones

• Zone-Based Approach: Create FMD-free zones recognised by World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) to boost exports while working towards national eradication. 

Regular Drills And Capacity Building

• Periodic Exercises: Hold exercises like VAJRA-SAT regularly at State and district levels.  

• Train Staff: Expand training for veterinarians and para-vets. 

Conclusion

Exercise VAJRA-SAT reflects India's move from reacting to outbreaks to preparing for them in advance. Combined with mass vaccination under NADCP, stronger surveillance and a One Health approach, such drills can protect India's livestock, farmers' incomes and export markets from FMD.

Source: PIB