ASF Surveillance Zone Declared in Kakching; District Issues Strict Restrictions

The District Magistrate of Kakching has issued a set of stringent restrictions to contain the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) after cases were detected in the district. The order, released on Thursday, notifies all villages within a 10 km radius of the infection site as the “Surveillance Zone.”

Under the order, no pigs or pig products are allowed to be transported into or out of the infected area. Movement of pigs, pig feed, and related items has also been banned. Entry of vehicles and individuals who have had contact with infected pigs is restricted, while no live pigs, pig carcasses, or pork products may be disposed of in open spaces inside the zone.

The District Magistrate has directed officials of the Veterinary & Animal Husbandry Services to strictly enforce surveillance measures, including random inspections, movement monitoring, and sanitation protocols. Carcass disposal must be carried out under official supervision, and pig farms in the zone must maintain strict biosecurity practices.

The order, issued under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, will remain in effect until further notice.

Alongside the restrictions, the Department of Veterinary & Animal Husbandry Services has released guidelines for farmers on ASF prevention. Symptoms include high fever, lethargy, laboured breathing, skin discoloration, and sudden death within 3 to 15 days. Although ASF does not infect humans, it has a near-100% fatality rate in pigs.

Officials have advised farmers not to introduce pigs from unknown sources, not to visit infected farms, and to maintain strict sanitation and disinfection practices. They have also recommended regular vaccination against Classical Swine Fever as a preventive measure.

The district administration has urged the public to cooperate to prevent further spread of the disease.