Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct. 16: African Swine Fever (ASF) has been confirmed by ICAR–National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal, in samples collected from pigs in Sri Vijaya Puram & Car Nicobar, vide its laboratory report dated 16th October, 2026.
Prevention and Control
African Swine Fever (ASF) is a highly contagious viral disease affecting domestic pigs and wild boars. It can cause very high mortality and severe economic losses to pig farmers. ASF does not infect human beings; however, people, vehicles, equipment, clothing and contaminated pork products can mechanically spread the virus between pig holdings.
Key Symptoms
Watch for sudden pig deaths, high fever, loss of appetite, weakness, reddish or purplish skin discolouration, vomiting, diarrhoea and abortions.
Advisory for Pig Farmers
• Report immediately: Inform the Senior Veterinary Officer (SVO) of your area or the nearest Veterinary Institution if pigs show suspected symptoms, die suddenly or have been in contact with infected pigs.
• Segregate pigs: Keep sick, suspected, exposed and healthy pigs separated as far as practicable to minimise the risk of transmission.
• Restrict movement & Trade: Do not sell, slaughter or transport sick, suspected or exposed pigs. Avoid the movement, sale and distribution of frozen pork, pig meat and pig-derived products.
• Maintain biosecurity: Restrict visitors and ensure proper cleaning and disinfection of pig sheds, footwear, equipment and vehicles.
• Avoid unsafe feeding: Do not feed pigs untreated kitchen waste, food scraps containing meat or pork, or untreated waste from hotels, restaurants and ships.
• Follow official instructions: Cooperate with veterinary surveillance, testing, culling and other disease-control measures directed by the competent authorities.
Advisory for the General Public
• Do not transport live pigs or pork products in violation of applicable regulations or official restrictions.
• Do not discard food or meat waste where pigs can access it.
• Do not touch, open, move or dispose of dead pig carcasses yourself.
• Immediately report unusual pig deaths or suspected cases to the nearest Veterinary Institution or the area SVO.
• Ensure safe disposal of food waste from ships, markets, hotels and other establishments to prevent access by pigs.
Culling and Safe Disposal of Carcasses
Where culling is directed by the competent authorities, pigs confirmed or suspected to be infected, as well as pigs identified as exposed through contact with infected pigs, shall be dealt with in accordance with official disease-control instructions.
• Contact the area SVO immediately for necessary action. Culling shall be undertaken under the supervision of the SVO, in coordination with the SVPMC team and the concerned administration.
• Pigs identified for culling shall not be slaughtered, moved or disposed of by farmers on their own.
• Carcasses shall be disposed of safely through deep burial, in accordance with the directions of the competent authorities and applicable environmental and public-health requirements.
• As far as practicable, individual burial pits should be avoided in favour of common community burial pits identified at the Panchayat level or above, at suitable locations away from human habitation and transport routes, subject to site suitability and official approval.
• Sick, suspected, exposed and healthy pigs shall be kept segregated as far as practicable, under veterinary guidance, to minimise further transmission.
Compensation
Compensation, wherever admissible, shall be considered in accordance with the applicable Government of India notification dated 2020 and the prescribed procedure. Farmers must cooperate with the designated team and complete the prescribed verification formalities.
Special Precautions
Strictly follow official directions on the movement of pigs and pork products between islands and through ships, boats and other transport. Ensure appropriate cleaning and disinfection of vehicles, containers and equipment.
Treatment and Vaccine
There is no specific curative treatment or officially approved vaccine for ASF. Strict biosecurity, early reporting, segregation and timely implementation of official disease-control measures are essential to prevent further spread. The cooperation of all is required to control and eradicate the disease from these islands.