Veterinary department issues advisory on ASF, LSD

DIMAPUR — The Directorate of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services (AH&VS) has issued a public appeal with regard to the mortality of pigs/ cows for the maintenance of strict bio-security measures within the suspected zone.

The department informed that the occurrence of African Swine Fever (ASF) in pigs and Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in bovine is still prevalent in Nagaland. It added that the incidence was likely to increase as winter approaches due to the high movement of animals because of festive, weddings and other social gatherings in the state.

Dos and Don’t

1.  Immediately report unusual mortality of animals to the nearest veterinary centre to initiate surveillance, diagnostic and containment procedures by the department.

2. While importing animals, ensure to import healthy and disease-free animals (certified animals) into your farms/ villages.

3. Do not feed swill and kitchen waste to pigs.

4. Do not consume the dead animals.

5. Follow deep burial method, at least 6 feet deep, followed by spreading of lime/ bleaching powder.

6. Do not throw the carcass in the river, canal stream, or water bodies.

7. Sanitise the areas/ sheds/ troughs completely using the recommended solution.

8. Wash hands, feet, clothing etc. properly with soap.

9. Seek assistance of a veterinarian for disinfecting the area.

10. Demarcate the areas into infected zones, surveillance zones and free zones with the help of AH and Veterinary Services department for control and containment measures.

11. Do not give blind/ symptomatic diagnoses or unconfirmed reports so as to prevent false alarms to the surrounding farmers/ villages. These ASF & LSD are notifiable diseases under ‘The Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Disease Animal Act, 2009, Gazette of India vide Part II-Section I, No. 29 and only competent authority shall notify in the public domain after laboratory confirmation through ‘Nucleotide sequencing” of PCR products and RTPCR from NIHSAD, Bhopal, India.

12. Do not re-populate the pigs without department consultation as there is no vaccine available to prevent ASF.

The department has issued this appeal to all concerned so that with the participation of all stakeholders ASF and LSD could be contained in the state.

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