Seven Manipuri ponies Succumb in Kakching district over the past two weeks following an outbreak of an unidentified disease, with laboratory tests underway to determine the cause.
The Manipur Pony Society and Manipur Horse Riding Association jointly addressed a press meet at the Manipur Press Club in Imphal on Tuesday regarding the deaths.
Manipur Pony Society president Prof. Ch. Priyoranjan said blood samples collected from the deceased ponies after post-mortem examinations were sent to the ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines on September 23. The test results are awaited.
Prof. Priyoranjan said there was currently no basis to describe the situation as an epidemic and appealed to the public not to panic until the laboratory reports establish the nature of the disease.
He said the disease had affected around 30 per cent of the pony population in Kakching district since September 13.
Affected ponies initially develop symptoms in the legs and head, followed by deterioration in their condition and eventual death, said Prof Ch Priyoranjan.
He added that it was not yet known whether the disease was confined to ponies or could affect other animals. The laboratory results, he said, would help determine the nature of the disease and assess whether it poses any wider threat to animals.