Chardham Yatra 2025: Government on high alert as equine influenza hits Rudraprayag

With less than a month until the Chardham Yatra begins on April 30, the Uttarakhand government has sprung into action following the detection of equine influenza in Rudraprayag district. The highly contagious respiratory disease, confirmed in 18 horses and mules in the villages of Veeron and Basti, has prompted swift precautionary measures to safeguard the annual pilgrimage, which relies heavily on equine animals for transportation.


On Tuesday, Animal Husbandry Minister Saurabh Bahuguna convened a review meeting at the Secretariat in Dehradun to assess the situation. With the yatra’s start date looming, he stressed the urgency of screening all horses and mules to ensure no infected animals participate. If reports are to go by, the minister also mandated, in order to enter Uttarakhand, animals arriving from other states must carry a health certificate from their district of origin, accompanied by a negative equine influenza report.



Equine influenza is known for its rapid spread with a transmission rate of 80-90%. The disease poses a significant threat to the equine population. Vaccination remains the only proven preventive measure. Recent testing efforts revealed that out of 422 samples collected from horses and mules across Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Tehri, Uttarkashi, and Bageshwar districts, 18 cases were confirmed in Rudraprayag alone.

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In response, the registration of horses and mules for the yatra has been suspended, and infected animals have been promptly quarantined. If reports are to go by, 23,120 horses and mules are registered across these five districts, with additional animals expected from neighboring states like Uttar Pradesh.


To address the crisis, the state government has ordered comprehensive health screenings for all 23,120 registered equine animals. These checks will be conducted not only within the districts but also at state border checkpoints designated for animal disease control. The measures aim to curb the spread of the virus and ensure the pilgrimage proceeds smoothly.

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The Chardham Yatra, a sacred journey to the Himalayan shrines of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, draws thousands of devotees annually, many of whom rely on horses and mules to navigate the rugged terrain.