CONFIRMED: African Swine Fever cases in Longleng, Mokokchung & Phek districts

Situation in Mokokchung is yet to be contained satisfactorily: AH & VS

Mokokchung, May 20 (MTNews): The Directorate of AH & Veterinary Service has informed the general public and piggery farmers that confirmed cases of the occurrence of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Longleng, Mokokchung and Phek Districts have been established through “Nucleotide Sequencing” of PCR products and RTPCR from NIHSAD, Bhopal & NERDDL, Guwahati.
In view of this, the Committee on African Swine Fever (ASF) from the Directorate Office under the Convenorship of Dr. K. Linyü, Joint Director along with Dr. Z. Mekro, Deputy Director and Dr. S. Amenla Walling Theunuo, Deputy Director visited the epicenters for initiating Control, Containment and Eradication Measures in coordination with the officers in Mokokchung and Longleng on 16th and 17th May 2022 respectively.

As of now, the disease is contained in Phek, and moderately contained in Longleng, but the situation in Mokokchung is yet to be contained satisfactorily and unless the general public, piggery farmers and pork consumers cooperate in containing the disease, it is likely to spread across villages and districts causing a devastating effect on the pig population and severely impacting the economy of the State, the committee on ASF concluded.

“It may further be mentioned that unless swift action is taken in a coordinated effort, high morbidity and mortality are going to create an acute shortage of local pigs in the coming months especially from October to December resulting in the high cost of pork in the market,” it added.

“Currently, selective banning on imports is being practiced. However, with the nature of the border porosity with the neighbouring States, entry/import of live pigs from outside the State has become very difficult for the Department to monitor. And, as per the current epidemiological survey, the source of origin of the disease appears to be from outside the State due to the high and rampant import of pigs, both live pig and cut meat,” the committee further said.

Hence, to contain African Swine Fever (ASF) in the State, the general public, piggery farmers and pork consumers have been requested to remain vigilant and strictly observe the department’s advisory.

ADVISORY ON AFRICAN SWINE FEVER

1. Report the death of pigs to the nearest Veterinary Health Centre for necessary sero-monitoring.

2. Do not consume dead/diseased pigs, but carry out a deep burial method and subsequent sanitization.

3. Refrain from importing live pigs for meat and piglets for breeding purposes from outside without knowing the health status.

4. Refrain from buying pork of unknown origin.

5. Maintain strict bio-security measures in the farms.

6. Practice usage of footbath at the entrance of the farm.

7. Vaccinate your pigs against Classical Swine Fever.

8. Avoid feeding with feeds, especially from hotels and other wastes which may be contaminated.