22 Pigs Die of African Swine Fever in West Khasi Hills of Meghalaya

SHILLONG: Another district of the Northeastern state of Meghalaya is now facing an outbreak of African Swine Fever increasing the problems for the piggery owners and pork businessmen in the state. The state veterinary department has accepted the spread of the infection in the West Khasi Hills District of the state.

The Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Officer for West Khasi Hills district stated that the 22 pigs have died in the Tiehsaw village of Nongstoin. The cause of these deaths has been mentioned to be African Swine Fever (ASF).

The veterinary officer said that all the pigs were owned by the same person and the concerned department has asked him to take care of his livestock and prevent any propagation of the illness via a notification in this regard. He also added that there is no treatment or cure available as of now for this illness and the only way to prevent it is to prevent it from spreading. The official also mentioned that all the piggery owners have to take proper care so that the people working in their farms or local people take proper care when coming in contact with the animals as well as to isolate those animals which show symptoms of the illness.

In a bid to prevent the further spread of African Swine Fever, the district administration of the West Khasi Hills district have enforced a ban on the sale, supply or movement of pigs and pork in the district under Section 144 of CrPC.

Previously two other districts of the state had imposed similar restrictions due to prevent the spread of the illness. District authorities had imposed a 28-point restriction and prohibited various activities under section 144 CrPC in Meghalaya’s Eastern West Khasi Hills following an outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF). While the district authorities of the Ri Bhoi District had declared multiple villages under its jurisdiction as containment zones.

Also Read: Ri Bhoi District of Meghalaya Declared Containment Zones in View of Pig Deaths

Also Watch: