National Tabletop Exercise 'VAJRA-SAT' on FMD Preparedness

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Key takeaways

The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) conducted the two-day national exercise 'VAJRA-SAT' in Bengaluru to bolster defenses against the FMD strain SAT-1.
Although SAT-1 has spread from Africa to West Asia, India has reported zero cases of this strain so far.
India currently faces 3 FMD serotypes (O, A, and Asia-1), while global surveillance has detected no serotype C cases since 2004.
Existing FMD vaccines in India offer zero protection against SAT-1, making indigenous vaccine development an urgent priority.

The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) organized a two-day exercise called 'VAJRA-SAT'.
The department partnered with the ICAR-National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics (ICAR-NIVEDI) for this event.
The national exercise took place in Bengaluru, Karnataka, focusing on disease preparedness.

The primary goal is to prepare India against the potential entry of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) strain SAT-1.
This specific strain has spread beyond Africa into parts of West Asia, though India has reported no cases so far.
The official theme for the exercise is 'Detect Early, Confirm Fast, Contain Together'.
Participants simulated emergency responses including disease detection, lab diagnosis, movement controls, rapid vaccination, and risk communication.
The exercise stressed the importance of risk-based surveillance, epidemiological intelligence, and early-warning systems.
The DAHD proposed upgrading regional FMD labs and RDDLs using the Pandemic Fund with support from ICAR-NIFMD.
Experts highlighted the urgent need to develop an indigenous SAT-1 vaccine because current Indian FMD vaccines do not cover this strain.

FMD is a severe and highly contagious viral infection affecting cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, and pigs.
The disease is caused by the virus FMDV, which belongs to the genus Aphthovirus and family Picornaviridae.
There are seven total serotypes: O, A, C, SAT-1, SAT-2, SAT-3, and Asia-1.
India currently experiences serotypes O, A, and Asia-1, while SAT strains have never been detected in the country.
Global health authorities have not detected serotype C anywhere in the world since 2004.
Vaccines must target specific strains because immunity against one serotype does not protect animals against others.
The virus spreads easily through direct animal contact, contaminated farm equipment, and airborne particles.
Infected animals suffer from high fever, painful blisters on the mouth, feet, and teats, alongside a sharp fall in milk production.