Mon district bans pig transport and pork sale as African Swine Fever scare prompts strict containment measures.
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DIMAPUR — The Deputy Commissioner of Mon, Wennyei Konyak, has informed citizens that reports have been received regarding an outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) in certain areas of Nagaland, including adjoining districts.
According to a DIPR report, ASF is a highly contagious viral disease that poses a serious threat to pig populations, necessitating immediate preventive and containment measures to curb further transmission.
In view of the situation, the district administration stated that it has become necessary to regulate and restrict the movement, export, and import of pigs and pig-related products in the interest of public safety, animal health, and disease containment.
Exercising powers conferred under the relevant provisions of law, the deputy commissioner issued the following directives with immediate effect:
Export, import, and transportation of live pigs from Mon district to other districts and outside the state, as well as import from other districts and states into Mon district, have been prohibited until further orders.
Also read: African Swine Fever detected in Dimapur; DC declares infected and surveillance zones
No person, trader, transporter, firm, or association shall transport, export, import, or facilitate the movement of pigs to or from Mon district without prior clearance and certification from the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services.
There shall be a total ban on the sale of pork across the district until the ASF situation is brought under control.
All check gates, police personnel, veterinary officials, and administrative officers have been directed to strictly monitor and enforce the order.
Any pig exhibiting symptoms of ASF, including sudden death, high fever, weakness, skin discoloration, or abnormal behaviour, must immediately be reported to the nearest veterinary authority.
Slaughter, sale, or transportation of suspected infected pigs has been strictly prohibited.
Village councils, ward authorities, GBs, and public leaders have been directed to cooperate fully with the district administration and the veterinary department in surveillance, reporting, and containment measures.
Any person violating the order shall be liable for penal action under relevant provisions of law, including the Disaster Management Act, epidemic-related regulations, and other applicable laws.
The order shall remain in force until further orders, it stated.
Meanwhile, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Medziphema, James Swu, has also issued a circular in view of reported cases and rumours regarding a possible outbreak of ASF within the Medziphema sub-division.
Pending confirmation of laboratory test results, the administration has imposed regulatory measures on the slaughter and sale of pigs and pork in the interest of public safety and disease prevention.
According to the order, no individual, butcher, trader, farmer, or any person shall slaughter pigs for commercial sale or distribution within the sub-division without obtaining prior permission from the district administration.
The circular stated that any person intending to slaughter pigs for sale must first report the matter to the office of the undersigned and seek necessary approval.
Verification and inspection of the concerned pigs will be carried out by Kevilelie Keyho, livestock inspector, VFATI, who has been designated as the authorised official for the purpose. Slaughter will only be permitted after clearance is granted by the authorised official.
The administration further warned that the sale, transportation, or distribution of pork without approval and verification will be treated as a violation of the order, and necessary action will be initiated as per the law.
All village authorities, GBs, ward authorities, butchers, meat vendors, and citizens have been directed to strictly comply with the order in the larger interest of public health and animal disease containment.