National Tabletop Exercise ‘VAJRA-SAT’:
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), in collaboration with ICAR-National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics(ICAR-NIVEDI), conducted a two-day National Tabletop Exercise ‘VAJRA-SAT’ on preparedness against Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) serotype SAT-1 in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
- Objective is Strengthen preparedness against the potential entry of FMD SAT-1, which has not been reported in India, following its geographical spread beyond Africa to parts of West Asia.
- Theme: “Detect Early, Confirm Fast, Contain Together”.
- Assessed disease detection, laboratory diagnosis, epidemiological investigations, animal movement restrictions, emergency vaccination and risk communication.
- Emphasised risk-based surveillance, epidemiological intelligence and early-warning systems.
- DAHD proposed strengthening regional FMD laboratories and Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratories (RDDLs) under the Pandemic Fund, with technical support from ICAR-National Institute of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (ICAR-NIFMD).
- Highlighted the need for indigenous SAT-1 vaccine development and advanced vaccine readiness, as existing FMD vaccines used in India do not protect against SAT-1.
