Amid African Swine Fever cases, restrictions on import of pigs in Kohima, Pfutsero

DIMAPUR — With the detection of African Swine Fever (ASF) in various locations under Kohima district, the Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) has imposed certain restrictions in notified ‘infected’ and ‘surveillance’ zones.     

In a circular, administrator of KMC, T Lanusenla Longkumer informed that the infected zone covers 1km radius of infected premises in Kidima village, while the surveillance zone covers 10 km radius from infected premises (9 km radius outside the infected zone). The restrictions imposed in the two zones, until further order, are ban on slaughter of pigs, import and export of pigs and piglets and transportation of pigs and pork.

The circular informed all the concerned butchers, piglet dealers and wards under Kohima jurisdiction to strictly adhere to order earlier issued by the deputy commissioner of Kohima on April 15 in regard to outbreak of ASF, and to report to the department concerned in case of any suspicion, in order to contain the disease at the earliest.

Meanwhile, in view of reported deaths of pigs due to swine flu in villages adjacent to Pfutsero town and other sub-divisions, and in the interest of public health, ADC Pfutsero Moakumzuk Tzudir has temporarily banned imports of pigs from surrounding villages and other sub-divisions.

In an order, the ADC directed all ward GBs to monitor slaughter and sale of pork in their respective wards and ensure that only healthy pigs are slaughtered for public consumption, a DIPR report stated.