Ri-Bhoi village ‘epicentre’ of African Swine Fever outbreak

SHILLONG, April 26: Umshorshor village under Umsning Block of Ri-Bhoi district has been declared as the “epicentre” of African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak, which was confirmed by the veterinary authorities on Tuesday. Following this, the state government has banned the movement of pigs in the area.
The North Eastern Regional Disease Diagnostic Lab in Guwahati has confirmed the outbreak of the ASF as the sample sent on April 13 tested positive, according to a senior Veterinary department official.
Necessary instructions have been issued banning slaughter and movement of pigs, and supplies at Umshorshor village and its nearby areas, he said.
The decision was taken to prevent, control and eradicate the scheduled disease as per the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009, said a notification issued by Veterinary department principal secretary GHP Raju. Villages within the 1 km radius of the infected premises have been designated as ‘Infected Zone’ and all villages within the 10 km radius are designated as ‘Surveillance Zone’.
While the movement of pigs is allowed in the ‘Surveillance Zone’, it is completely banned in the ‘Infected Zones’, as per the notification.
Earlier, cases of ASF were reported from Mizoram and Tripura. (With PTI inputs)