Swine fever takes serious turn in Darrang; over 160 pigs culled, villages declared infected zones

OUR CORRESPONDENT

MANGALDAI: Despite the efforts of the district administration and veterinary department, the African Swine Fever (ASF) has taken a serious turn in Darrang district. The veterinary department in presence of the Executive Magistrate on Thursday culled a total of 60 pigs from two farms located at Kabikara village under Niz Dahi veterinary hospital. Dr Ajay Bania, veterinary official of Mangaldai, who is supervising the culling process said, “The infected pigs were killed as per the laid down official norms of the department in presence of Executive Magistrate Tanmoy Bora.”  Earlier on June 7, 104 infected pigs were killed at Village Kamarpara under Mangaldai Revenue Circle. Dr Bania further said that the department has been maintaining strict vigilance over the commercial pig rearing farms and immediately collected blood samples if any pig is suspected to be infected. He mentioned that the infection of the disease which normally becomes active during the period of May and June every year could be averted if regular deworming of the livestocks is done and the surroundings of the farms are disinfected.    

Darrang District Administration declared both Kamarpara and Kabikara villages as epicentres and directives have been issued by the administration where villages within a kilometre radius of the epicentres have been considered as infected zones, while those within a ten-kilometre radius have been designated as surveillance zones. The restrictions that have been imposed in the infected zones include: no live pigs, pig feed, pork or pork products can be transported into or out of the infected zones, no vehicle can transport animals or contaminated materials through the area without proper sanitization certificates from the animal health authorities, pigs suspected to be infected by ASF cannot be moved out of the infected zones, no one can transport or even attempt to transport pigs, pig products, or contaminated materials that have come into contact with the infected pigs or suspected to be infected and no livestock market, fair, exhibition, or event involving pigs can be held in the infected zones. Similarly, the restrictions imposed in the surveillance zones include all restrictions meant for the infected zones except for culling related directives, continuous surveillance will be maintained over all pigs in the surveillance zones. The forest department will conduct surveillance on domestic pigs in areas adjacent to the forest zones. All local authorities, officials, and staff will be required to assist veterinary officers enforcing these directives under the Animal Disease Act, and disposal of dead animals in water bodies has been strictly prohibited and made punishable by law.

Also Read: African Swine Fever: Strict monitoring system at Assam border checkposts

Also Watch: