Shillong: The Meghalaya Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary has issued a notification imposing strict containment measures following the confirmation of African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreaks in multiple villages across the state.
The notification, issued under Sections 6 and 20 of the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009, aims to prevent, control and eradicate the spread of the disease.
In line with the National Action Plan for Control, Containment and Eradication of African Swine Fever issued by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, villages within a one-kilometre radius of infected premises have been declared Infected Zones, while villages within a ten-kilometre radius have been designated Surveillance Zones. The restrictions have come into force with immediate effect.
Restrictions in infected zones
The Department has imposed stringent restrictions in infected zones to curb further transmission of the disease.
Movement of live pigs, pig feed, pork and pork products into or out of infected zones has been prohibited. The transport of pig-related equipment, veterinary supplies, breeding tools and farm materials from infected areas has also been banned.
Pig owners and handlers have been directed to maintain strict hygiene and biosecurity measures, restrict visitors from entering farm premises and prevent movement of handlers between pig sheds. Access to infected premises has been restricted, and all vehicles leaving infected zones must undergo thorough cleaning and disinfection.
The notification also prohibits the removal of live or dead pigs suspected or confirmed to be infected with ASF. Pig feed, bedding materials, carcasses, skins and any other materials that may have come into contact with infected animals cannot be moved from infected premises.
Carcasses of infected pigs must be disposed of through deep burial within the affected premises, with adequate lime cover. Disposal of carcasses in rivers, streams, lakes or any other water bodies has been strictly prohibited.
In cases where on-site disposal is not feasible, transportation may only be undertaken by authorised agencies under the supervision of the District Veterinary Office, following strict biosecurity protocols and using leak-proof vehicles.
The Department has further directed that contaminated feed, slurry, swill, bedding materials, litter and farm waste be disposed of through deep burial. Preliminary and secondary disinfection of infected premises must be carried out under the supervision of Veterinary Officers and Rapid Response Teams (RRTs).
A complete ban has been imposed on the slaughter of pigs and the sale of pork and pork products within infected zones.
Pig markets and abattoirs in affected areas will remain closed until further orders. Swill feeding, including the use of kitchen and restaurant waste as pig feed, has also been prohibited.
The notification warns that individuals found disposing of infected animal carcasses in rivers, lakes, canals or other water bodies will face prosecution under the Act.
First-time offenders may be fined ₹2,000 or face imprisonment of up to one month in default of payment. Repeat offenders may face fines of up to ₹5,000 or imprisonment of up to three months, or both.
Restrictions in surveillance zones
In surveillance zones, movement of live pigs into infected zones has been prohibited, although movement within surveillance areas will be allowed under strict monitoring.
The transport of pig-related equipment and supplies from infected zones into surveillance areas is not permitted. Carcasses must be disposed of through deep burial with lime cover, and disposal in water bodies remains strictly prohibited.
Movement of manure, slurry and pig waste is restricted except under authorised arrangements for safe disposal.
Pig owners and handlers have been directed to maintain biosecurity measures, limit visitor access and prevent movement of handlers between pig sheds.
Vehicles used for transporting pigs, livestock or potentially contaminated materials must undergo cleaning and disinfection before leaving surveillance zones.
Swill feeding remains prohibited, while waste from slaughterhouses and pork stalls must be disposed of safely through deep burial.
Movement of pork and pork products from surveillance zones to disease-free areas has also been banned. No animal fairs, livestock gatherings or events involving pigs will be permitted in surveillance zones. Veterinary authorities will continue clinical surveillance and sample collection to monitor the spread of the disease.
The Department has directed the Divisional Forest Officer, Wildlife Division, to take necessary measures to monitor and manage wild boar populations in forest areas surrounding infected and surveillance zones.
Advisory for free zones
For areas outside surveillance zones, classified as Free Zones, the Department has advised pig farmers and handlers to maintain strict hygiene and biosecurity standards, restrict entry of unauthorised persons and ensure proper cleaning and disinfection of farm premises and equipment.
Pig owners have been advised to confine animals and prevent contact with wild boars, scavenging pigs and stray animals.
Movement of pigs, pork products and feed from infected and surveillance zones into free zones has been prohibited. Entry of pork meat and pork products from affected areas is also not permitted.
The feeding of meat, slaughter waste and kitchen waste to pigs has been banned. Farmers have been advised to closely monitor the health of their animals, undertake routine deworming and management practices, and immediately report any signs of illness or unusual mortality to veterinary authorities.
The Department has appealed to pig farmers, traders, transporters, local institutions and the public to strictly comply with the prescribed restrictions and biosecurity measures.
Village Dorbars, Dollois, Headmen, Nokmas, municipalities and other local bodies have been urged to extend full cooperation to Veterinary Officers and Rapid Response Teams implementing containment and disease-control measures.
Reiterating the need for coordinated action, the Department said continued surveillance, monitoring and rapid response efforts are critical to containing African Swine Fever and protecting the livelihoods of pig farmers across Meghalaya.
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