Car Nicobar, Oct. 8: A high-level meeting was held in hybrid mode on 7th October, 2026 at the Conference Hall of the Deputy Commissioner, Nicobar, under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner, Nicobar, to review the situation relating to Classical Swine Fever (CSF) among pigs in Car Nicobar and to finalise further measures for prevention and control.
The meeting was attended by the Director, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, Dr. Debalina Mitra, Deputy Commissioner (Livestock Health), Department of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India, officials of the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, Tribal Captains of Car Nicobar and representatives of concerned line departments. Dr. Sujata Hegde, Joint Director, AH&VS, welcomed the participants. Dr. Baljit Kaur, Zonal Officer, AH&VS, Car Nicobar, briefed the meeting on the pig mortality situation in different villages and the measures already undertaken, including field surveillance, verification of reported mortalities, disease investigation, collection of samples, awareness activities, veterinary support and safe disposal of carcasses.
Dr. Debalina Mitra explained the nature of Classical Swine Fever and emphasised that the disease is not zoonotic and does not pose a direct threat to human beings. She advised that unnecessary panic should be avoided and that prescribed disease-control, biosecurity and surveillance measures should be strictly followed.
The Director, AH&VS, informed that vaccination against Classical Swine Fever had earlier been undertaken in Car Nicobar but was discontinued after the island remained free from reported cases for nearly two decades. In view of the present situation, an indent for 20,000 doses of CSF vaccine has been placed. A special vaccination drive will be undertaken immediately on receipt of the vaccine. Special vaccination teams will be deployed in different areas of Car Nicobar, and Tribal Captains have been requested to facilitate vaccination of eligible pigs in their villages.
As a preventive measure, movement of pigs and pig products to and from the island will remain restricted until the situation is brought under control. Pig owners are advised not to sell, transport or move sick or suspect pigs, pork or carcasses. Newly purchased pigs should not be mixed with the existing herd without veterinary advice. A second round of awareness campaigns will be taken up in all villages. The public advisory will be translated into the Nicobari language and widely circulated. Public announcements through a mobile vehicle will also be made across the island.
A Village-Level Task Force will be constituted in each village for coordinated monitoring and reporting. Tribal Captains have been requested to recheck and verify mortality figures, as a number of pigs in Car Nicobar are reared in forest areas and may not be immediately available for physical verification. The Department has been directed to ensure safe disposal of carcasses in consultation with Village Captains, and to arrange lime, bleaching powder and other disinfectants. Adequate stocks of medicines will be maintained for supportive treatment.
The meeting also underlined the need to protect the Nicobari pig, a registered indigenous breed of India, while implementing necessary disease-control measures.
Pig owners and villagers are requested to immediately report any pig showing high fever, loss of appetite, weakness, diarrhoea, skin discoloration, coughing or sudden death to the nearest veterinary personnel, maintain clean sheds, restrict unnecessary entry of visitors, and extend full cooperation to the vaccination and surveillance teams. Early reporting and restricted movement will help contain the disease without causing undue alarm.