Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Imphal: Manipur ponies are fighting a deadly parasite. The Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Services confirmed on October 2 that the local horses tested positive for Surra. This disease stems from the parasite Trypanosoma evansi.
The trouble started in Hiyanglam and Wabagai. Ponies there suffered high fevers, heavy breathing, and swelling. Eight horses died in Wabagai recently. This sparked fear across the state polo community.
Veterinary teams collected nasal swabs, blood, and serum from eight ponies on September 24. They shipped these samples to the Disease Investigation Laboratory in Sanjenthong before moving them to the ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines in Hisar, Haryana. The lab results finally returned positive. Experts say the infection spreads through biting flies and does not threaten the general public.
The state has asked the research center to send an expert team to the region. Officials now demand tighter hygiene and animal management. Owners should report any sick animals to the nearest hospital or the Mobile Veterinary Unit immediately. According to the department, they have officially "initiated specific treatment and veterinary management of the affected animals."
Keep the horses isolated. Owners must stop moving sick animals and call the toll-free helpline at 1962. Staffers are currently conducting field assessments to stop the spread.
Updated at 3rd October 2026 at 2:00pm
Records show the deadly toll began much earlier than initially reported. The first death linked to the outbreak occurred on August 13. Veterinary reports also expanded the list of clinical signs to include persistent nasal discharge, physical weakness, coughing, and swelling specifically affecting the animals brisket and hind limbs.
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