Arunachal Pradesh’s Longding district has imposed an immediate ban on transportation and purchase of live pigs and pork products following a confirmed outbreak of African swine fever in Assam’s neighboring Tinsukia district, an official said on Monday.
In a warning, the Longding District Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Officer, or Muyong, said emergency restrictions would remain in place for one month to prevent the deadly virus from entering the area.
“All pig farmers, livestock traders and the general public must strictly adhere to these preventive guidelines. Non-compliance will be viewed seriously and may invite punitive action under the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009,” the official said.
In the advisory, a complete ban has been implemented on purchase of live pigs, pigs, pork and pork-based products from Assam or any other affected adjoining areas.
Farmers have also been warned about the spoiled feeding practice of feeding kitchen waste to pigs which has been identified as the main driver of ASF transmission.
The Veterinary Department has also issued comprehensive biosecurity protocols at the farm level.
These measures include the mandatory installation of disinfectant foot toilets at the entrance to each pig pen, the use of specialized farm shoes and clothing, and strict restrictions on non-essential visitors, outside vehicles and employees within the farm perimeter.
Farmers have also been directed to clean and chemically disinfect pig housing units and feeding utensils daily.
The official urged livestock owners to monitor symptoms such as high temperature, weakness, loss of appetite, bleeding or purple spots on the skin and sudden deaths.
“Any pig showing symptoms should be isolated from the healthy herd immediately to prevent the spread of the disease within the farm. Suspected cases or unusual deaths of pigs should be immediately reported to the nearest veterinary dispensary or the district veterinary officer’s office,” he said.
The advisory also prohibits dumping bodies in fields, roadsides or water bodies to prevent rapid environmental pollution.
The official added that farmers should instead follow strict containment methods to get rid of the disease through deep burial with a heavy layer of lime, or burning, as directed by the line veterinary staff.
This article was generated from an automated news feed without any modifications to the text.
