Dimapur, May 17 (EMN): African swine fever (ASF) outbreak has been reported in Nagaland after Mizoram, Tripura and Meghalaya, prompting the authorities to ban sale of pigs in the affected areas.
ASF is a highly contagious and deadly viral disease that affects both domestic and wild pigs, and requires early control and containment of its spread.
The suspected outbreak of the disease was first reported from Tangha village on April 24 but the Chief Veterinary Officer of Longleng received the confirmatory report only on May 11, according to the district administration.
Following the detection of the disease, the affected areas — Tangha and Amosen villages –have been declared as infected zones under the Prevention and Control of Infection and Contagious Disease in Animal Act of 2009.
Other villages — Yongshei, Yunja, Chingtok, Yongnyah, Yotan S/Comp, Shemshangching and Chingong — have been categorised as surveillance zone.
Meanwhile, SDO (C) of Longleng, Trongdiba Tongpi Sangtam has issued a restriction order banning slaughtering and sale of pigs in both infected and surveillance zones. The import and export of pigs/ piglets in both the zones and transportation of pigs/piglets in the infected zone have been banned with immediate effect till further orders.
“Anyone found in contravention of this order shall be liable to be prosecuted under the relevant provisions of law,” read the order.