Kohima/Aizawl, May 23 (IANS). After Mizoram, the Nagaland government has intensified surveillance and containment measures in the wake of the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak in several parts of the state. Officials gave this information on Saturday.
A senior official of Nagaland’s Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department (AHVS) said district administrations in the affected areas have banned the import, transportation and sale of pigs and pork products to prevent the spread of the disease.
The AHVS directorate said it is closely monitoring the outbreak through district veterinary officers and field staff, who are actively engaged in surveillance, containment campaigns, awareness campaigns, sample collection and implementation of bio-security measures.
ASF is a highly contagious viral disease that affects pigs, although it does not infect humans and is not considered a public health threat. However, officials said the disease causes serious economic losses to pig farmers and requires immediate reporting and strict preventive measures.
The department has appealed to pig farmers, traders, transporters, village councils, colony authorities and the general public to fully cooperate with the veterinary authorities during the current crisis.
Issuing a five-point advisory, AHVS has urged people to immediately inform the nearest veterinary institution or office in case of sudden illness or death in pigs, avoid unauthorized movement and transportation of pigs and pork products from affected areas and follow strict rules of farm hygiene and biosecurity.
The department has also urged people not to throw dead pigs in rivers, streams, forests or open public places, warning that improper disposal could worsen the outbreak.
–IANS
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