SHILLONG, June 18: The Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department has assured the public that pork remains safe for consumption as no fresh cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) have been reported in the state for the past several days, indicating the outbreak is now under control.
Principal Secretary Frederick R. Kharkongor said the situation has improved significantly since the disease peaked in May.
“The outbreak was at its peak in May, but by June the number of cases has come down substantially. For the past several days, no fresh ASF cases have been reported from any part of the state,” Kharkongor told The Shillong Times on Thursday.
He said Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) continue to monitor affected areas closely. Kharkongor also sought to allay public fears, reiterating that ASF is not a zoonotic disease and cannot be transmitted from pigs to humans.
“Pork is safe for consumption. However, as with any meat, it should be cooked properly before eating,” he added.
The outbreak had raised serious concerns over Meghalaya’s pig farming sector, a vital livelihood source for thousands of rural households across the state and the Northeast region.
It may be recalled that the department had earlier imposed a ban on pig movement and pork trade in six districts and launched extensive surveillance operations.
