OUR CORRESPONDENT
TEZPUR: Amid concerns over the detection of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Sonitpur District, the district administration has issued a prohibitory order to prevent the spread of the disease among the pig population. The order, issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, aims to contain the virus and safeguard public health and the livestock industry. The directive follows a request from the District Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Officer, Sonitpur, and is based on the Prevention & Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009. In the district, the identified epicenter of the ASF occurrence is a farm complex of Nitin, in No. 4 Gormara Village, near No. 2 Panipota TE, under Balipara Block. To curb the spread of ASF, the administration has categorized affected areas into two zones: the Infected Zone, within a 1-km radius of the epicenter and the Surveillance Zone, covering a 10-km radius around the epicenter.
The Chief Veterinary Officer or competent Officer, if he/she thinks fit that and an animal (pig) which if infected with ASF and euthanasia has to be resorted to, for preventing the spread of the disease to other pigs of the area, will issue direction in writing for euthanasia of the animal in the Infected Zone and carcass to be disposed of by any manner to proceed the public health and hygiene.
Whoever places or causes or permits to be placed in any river, lake, and canal or any water body, the carcass or any part of the carcass of any animal which at the time of death was known to be infected, shall be guilty of offence and punishable by imprisonment or fine or both.
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