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Joyride horse dies of highly infectious zoonotic disease; State goes into alert mode
A horse used for city joyrides died of glanders, a contagious bacterial disease affecting equines. The NRCE confirmed the disease after testing a sample, prompting authorities to isolate and test related animals and tighten movement controls. Officials cited a prior Coimbatore case and announced rapid-response plans and surveillance measures.
Why It Matters
Glanders is zoonotic and can spread to other animals and potentially humans. Prompt containment and surveillance are essential to prevent further outbreaks and protect public health.
Timeline
5 Events
Authorities plan containment and expand testing; 140 joyride horses in city
May 15, 2026
P. Chockalingam, Chief Executive Officer of the Tamil Nadu Animal Welfare Board, said about 140 horses used for joyrides in the city and called for testing of all samples. Officials announced rapid response teams and strict regulation of cross-border horse movement; the Board had written to the Animal Husbandry Department with these recommendations.
NRCE confirms glanders after testing
May 15, 2026
ICAR–National Research Centre on Equines (NRCE) confirmed glanders after testing the submitted sample using ELISA, CFT and qPCR. NRCE advised authorities to immediately isolate and monitor all equines housed with the infected horse and to conduct regular surveillance and testing under the relevant animal disease act.
Distress call leads to sample collection and examination
May 15, 2026
The horse owner made a distress call. BMAD Chief Veterinarian Josika Navukkarasu examined the animal and noted ulcerated lesions, enlarged lymph nodes and severe emaciation, raising suspicion of glanders. BMAD later sent samples to the ICAR–NRCE for testing.
Joyride horse in the city dies from glanders
May 15, 2026
A horse used for joyrides in the city died of glanders, a contagious bacterial infection affecting equines. The incident prompted authorities to scrutinize nearby animals and investigate the outbreak.
Similar glanders case reported in Coimbatore; infected horse culled
April 2026
A similar glanders case was detected in Coimbatore over a month ago, after which the infected horse was culled as part of the standard response protocol.