Nagaland's Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services on Friday confirmed cases of African Swine Fever in Dimapur and Kohima districts. It said so far seven districts of the state have been affected by the disease.
The Directorate of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department said that positive cases of African Swine Fever have been confirmed in Meriema, Viswema and Dzuleke villages of Kohima and Unity Colony in Purana Bazar, Bamunpukhuri Colony in Dimapur through RT-PCR from NERDDL, Guwahati. Earlier, the directorate reported cases of African swine fever in Longleng, Mokokchung, Mon and Phek districts.
In order to prevent further spread of this devastating disease, the department has advised all pig farmers and the public in the epicenters (positive cases villages/colonies) to maintain strict biosecurity measures in their respective farms/pigsty and also to refrain from eating pork of unknown origin as, it can become a source of infection. It added that any dead swine should be disposed off through deep burial protocols, followed by proper sanitization of the area with the help of a veterinarian, and all concerned should be contacted by the respective main veterinary office or the nearest veterinary centre.
The department has appealed to the public to follow specific measures as at present there is no protocol to treat the disease, except culling or depopulating. It said the sudden death of pigs should be reported to the nearest veterinary institution and asked people not to consume dead pigs.
Along with this, the department has appealed to the public to follow the advisory issued by the department to prevent further spread of this disease.
- Report sudden death of pigs to the nearest Veterinary Institute.
- Do not consume dead pigs.
- List out the number of pigs that died along with photos, and approximate body weight, and after being duly certified by the Village/Colony Authority, the same must be submitted to the Chief Veterinary Officer for authentication.
- Follow the deep burial method, at least 6 ft. deep, followed by spreading of lime/bleaching powder.
- Do not throw the carcass in the river/canal/stream/water bodies.
- Sanitize the areas/sheds/troughs completely using the recommended solution.
- Wash hands, feet, clothing, etc properly with soap.
- Seek the assistance of a Veterinarian to disinfect the area.
- Do not re-populate the pigs, without Department’s consultation.
- Demarcate the areas into Infected Zone, Surveillance Zone & Free Zone with the help of the AH&VS Department for control & containment measures.