Fresh outbreaks in Tseminyu, Phek and Medziphema
DIMAPUR, MAY 26 (NPN): The spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) to more districts in Nagaland has emerged as grim news for pig farmers and pork consumers alike, with fresh outbreaks now confirmed in Tseminyu, Medziphema under Chümoukedima district, and Phek district, prompting authorities to intensify containment and preventive measures. ASF has already been reported from parts of Mokokchung, Dimapur and Mon districts.
In Tseminyu, the deputy commissioner (DC), Japheth Woch, informed that tissue samples collected from Tseminyu village had tested positive for ASF at the animal health care laboratory, following which the area was declared an “Infected Zone”.
DC stated that several cases of pig mortality around Tseminyu had also been reported to the veterinary hospital, Tseminyu.
Accordingly, the administration declared the area within a 1km radius of Tseminyu village as the “Infected Zone”, while areas extending up to 9km beyond the infected zone have been designated as the “Surveillance Zone”.
The administration prohibited slaughter, sale, purchase and transportation of pigs and pork products within the affected areas. Citizens have been advised to refrain from purchase, sale and consumption of pork and pork products within the infected and adjoining areas.
Further, the order directed that disposal of dead pigs must be carried out only through deep burial or incineration in accordance with approved biosecurity and sanitary protocols.
The office of the chief veterinary officer Tseminyu has been instructed to implement surveillance, quarantine, containment, sanitisation and other disease-control measures as per government guidelines and standard operating procedures.
DC has urged the public to remain vigilant and immediately report any unusual sickness, suspected infection, abnormal behaviour or sudden death of pigs to the nearest veterinary centre or the office of the chief veterinary officer. The order, which comes into force with immediate effect, would remain in place until further notice.
In Phek district, the deputy commissioner (DC), Rhosietho Nguori, also issued restrictions following confirmation of ASF outbreak at Khuza village by the office of the chief veterinary officer (CFO) Phek.
In an advisory, DC Phek declared Khuza Village and areas within a 1km radius as the “Infected Zone”, while Khutsokhuno, Mutsale, Phek Town, Phugwi and Sohomi villages falling within a 10km radius were declared as the “Surveillance Zone”.
The district administration also imposed a ban on slaughter of pigs, import and export of pigs and piglets, and transportation of pigs and pork within the affected areas until further orders.
The public has been advised to remain cautious and immediately report any suspicious behaviour, sickness or suspected death of pigs due to ASF to the office of the CFO Phek.
Meanwhlie, in Medziphema, the additional deputy commissioner (ADC), P James Swu, issued a circular after the chief veterinary officer (CVO) Chümoukedima confirmed that pig tissue samples collected from a farm at Ward-9, Medziphema Town tested positive for ASF.
To prevent further spread of the disease and safeguard livestock health, ADC has declared a 1km radius from the outbreak epicentre as the “Infected Zone” and a 10km radius as the “Surveillance Zone”.
The order has imposed a complete ban on transportation of pigs, piglets, pork and pork products from and within the containment and surveillance zones.
Further, the administration has prohibited slaughter of pigs for commercial or private purposes, along with sale and distribution of pork and pork products within the notified zones until further orders.
Pig farmers and residents have been advised to immediately report any unusual sickness or death of pigs to the nearest veterinary officer or department. The order stated disposal of pig carcasses must be carried out strictly in accordance with protocols prescribed by the Veterinary Department.
The veterinary department, in coordination with law enforcement agencies, would conduct surveillance and monitoring in the affected areas.
Village authorities, ward authorities, GBs, meat vendors and citizens have been directed to cooperate fully with the containment measures. The order warned that any violation would invite strict legal action.