DIMAPUR: Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services conducted an awareness programme on African Swine Fever (ASF) for pig butchers and traders on June 4 at the CVO Conference Hall, Dimapur, with 20 participants including members of the Pork Butchers Union, Veterinary Public Health Cell (DMC) and pig traders.
The programme was chaired by Dr. Sentinungla Ao, Chief Veterinary Officer, Dimapur.
Dr. Vikshe Sumi, District Livestock Development Officer, sensitized participants on ASF, describing it as a highly contagious viral disease of pigs with 100% mortality, spread through infected pigs, contaminated pork, equipment, vehicles and clothing. He clarified that ASF does not affect humans. Key messages included: sourcing pigs only from ASF free farms with health certificates, avoiding sale or processing of sick/dead pigs, discouraging swill feeding, adopting biosecurity and disinfection measures at stockyards, slaughterhouses and meat shops, and reporting sudden pig deaths or abnormal symptoms to the nearest veterinary centre. Dr. Akumna Tzudir, VAS, educated participants on meat hygiene practices, personal hygiene, maintaining dust and fly free stalls, and the responsibility of traders and butchers in safeguarding public health.
It was highlighted that Nagaland imports 40–50% of pigs from states such as Punjab, Haryana and Karnataka.
