SHILLONG/NONGPOH: After it was confirmed that the rampant deaths of pigs in some villages in the state was due to African Swine Fever (ASF), the district magistrate of East Khasi Hills has declared the affected villages in the district as containment areas, while the district magistrate of Ri Bhoi, in a separate order, has prohibited transportation of pigs into Ri Bhoi and asked the operation of slaughter houses, pig rearers and pork vendors in the district to stop until further orders.
As a counter measure, the district magistrate (DM) of East Khasi Hills has also put in place several protocols for prevention and control of ASF.
Nongmynsong-Umkdait, Mawlai-Mawdatbaki, Mawshbuit-Nongrim and Sohiong-Krang in East Khasi Hills have been declared as containment areas in order to prevent a possible spread of the disease, the DM said.
Bio-containment
The district magistrate of East Khasi Hills, in an order, banned the transportation of pigs from and into the ‘infected zone’ (1 km radius). The DM has also prohibited pig slaughtering and sale of pork in the infected zones.
Bio-security
The DM also said that the interstate and inter-district movement of pigs is also banned. The order states pig farm owners are to maintain hygiene and ensure that the area is bio-secured at all times besides restricting entry of people and workers into farm premises.
Movement of vehicles from infected zones shall be allowed only after proper cleaning and disinfection, the order added.
Waste from the slaughter houses and pork stalls are to be disposed properly after following all protocols including disinfection and burial in the zones.
Sensitisation of all stakeholders — pig rearers, pork vendors, slaughterhouses — about ASF by the Rapid Response Teams of the Veterinary department. The team will also take appropriate measures pertinent to the situation and as described in the government order.
Veterinary officers are to be nominated to village-level COVID Management Committee to initiate similar measures to contain ASF in affected villages.
Suspected Ri Bhoi areas
Meanwhile, the DM of Ri Bhoi, while calling for strict hygiene measures in pig farms, informed that Umnget, Mawlyngkhung, Umsaitsning, Umdamli, Lumumpih, Umdohbyrthih, Nongjri, Umsohlang, Diwon, Umsohlait and Bhoirymbong villages in Ri Bhoi are suspected to have cases of ASF among pigs.