By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, June 3: The Meghalaya government has stepped up surveillance and containment measures following fresh outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) in at least four districts.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma told reporters on Wednesday that the government was closely monitoring the situation to prevent the spread of the disease.
He said ASF had been a recurring challenge for the state and the government was treating the latest outbreak with urgency. He noted that while concerns among pig farmers and stakeholders were understandable, the concerned department had already initiated preventive measures and was keeping a close watch on the developments.
The Chief Minister said only a limited number of cases had been reported so far, but stressed that the government was taking all necessary measures to prevent the disease from spreading to other parts of the state. He added that the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department had been been instructed to continue monitoring the situation and respond swiftly to any new cases.
The fresh outbreak prompted the department to enforce stringent containment measures in several affected areas. The affected areas include Pynursla and Mawlai blocks in East Khasi Hills, Mawthadraishan block in West Khasi Hills, Mairang block in Eastern West Khasi Hills, and Umsning and Bhoirymbong blocks in Ri-Bhoi districts.
Among villages and localities where infections have been detected are Urksew Wahpathaw, Mawkajem, Mawlai Mawkynroh, Nongkasen, Kyrdemkulai, Lum Umpih, Mawkyrdep and Mawphanniew. The Regional Pig Breeding Farm at Kyrdemkulai falls within an affected area, raising concerns about the potential impact on the state’s pig farming sector.
In accordance with the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009, authorities have declared areas within a one-kilometre radius of infected premises as infected zones, while a 10-kilometre radius around such locations has been designated as a surveillance zone. These classifications result in a series of mandatory restrictions aimed at limiting the movement of animals and preventing further transmission of the virus.
As part of the containment strategy, the government has imposed a complete ban on the movement of live pigs, pig feed, pork and pork products into and out of the affected zones. Pig markets, slaughterhouses and abattoirs operating within the notified areas have also been ordered to remain closed until further notice.
The department has additionally prohibited swill feeding, a practice involving the use of kitchen, hotel or restaurant waste as pig feed, citing the risk of disease transmission. Veterinary teams have been deployed to intensify surveillance, conduct inspections and advise farmers on biosecurity measures to minimise the risk of further outbreak.
ASF, though not harmful to humans, is a highly contagious viral disease that affects domestic and wild pigs, and can cause significant economic losses to farmers.
With pig farming forming an important component of rural livelihoods and the local meat supply chain, the latest outbreak has sparked concerns among farmers. State authorities, however, remain hopeful that early intervention, movement restrictions and enhanced surveillance will help contain the disease.
