There have been 259 pig deaths in Ri-Bhoi this year due to African Swine Fever (ASF), government data has revealed.
“At least 259 pigs have died in four neighbouring villages in Ri-Bhoi district. They had all tested positive for ASF,” Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department principal secretary GHP Raju was quoted as saying by PTI.
Forty-five pigs died yesterday alone and there are 944 within the four villages that could be susceptible to the disease.
There are 53,679 pigs in the district, according to the 20th livestock census, and 3.85 lakh pigs in the entire state.
The Veterinary Department first reported an outbreak of ASF on April 13 following which instructions were issued under the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act 2009, banning the slaughter, movement of pigs and supplies at Umshorshor village and within 10km of its vicinity.
According to the notification, villages under a 1km radius surrounding the infected premises (epicentre of disease) are designated as infected zones and all villages falling under a 10km radius surrounding infected premises are designated as surveillance zones.
While movements of pigs are allowed in the surveillance zone, pigs are not allowed to move to the infected zones and handlers are not allowed to move to other pig sheds. (with PTI inputs)
