ForumIAS announcing GS Foundation Program for UPSC CSE 2025-26 from 19 April. Click Here for more information.
Source-This post on Manga disease has been created based on the article “Mange outbreak reported among Asiatic wild dogs in Mudumalai” published in “The Hindu” on 11 April 2024.
Why in the news?
The forest department is monitoring an outbreak of mange among a pack of Asiatic wild dogs in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) in the Nilgiris.
About Manga disease
| Aspects | Details |
| Description | It is a skin disease of animals caused by mite infestations. |
| Caused by | Sarcoptes scabiei mite, which also causes human scabies. |
| Is it contagious? | 1. They are transmitted between animals by direct contact and by objects that have been in contact with infected animals. 2. Humans can contract certain types of mange from infected dogs and can temporarily infest human skin, leading to itching and discomfort. |
| Symptoms | Inflammation, itching, thickening of the skin, and hair loss. |
| Prevention | Prevention includes maintaining a clean environment, disinfect belongings, and avoid contact with infected or stray animals. |
| Treatment | Treatment options aim to eliminate the mites, alleviate symptoms, and promote skin healing. Topical medications are commonly prescribed to target localized mange areas. |
About Asiatic Wild dogs
| Aspects | Description |
| About | 1) It is a is a member of the family Canidae and the class Mammalia. 2) Asiatic Wild dogs also known as Dhole (Cuon alpinus). |
| Distribution | 1) It is an apex social carnivore in the tropical forests of South and Southeast Asia. 2) In India, Dholes are found in three clusters namely the Western and Eastern Ghats, central Indian landscape and North East India. 3) According to a 2020 study, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh rank high in conservation of dhole. |
| Habitat | Dense jungles, steppes, mountains, scrub forests, and pine forests. |
| Threat | Competition and disease transmission from domestic dogs are a threat to this species. |
| Conservation status | IUCN Status: Endangered CITES: Appendix II Wildlife Protection Act: Schedule II |
UPSC Syllabus: Science and technology (Health), Environment
