Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct. 21: Following laboratory confirmation by ICAR–NIHSAD, Bhopal, Sri Vijaya Puram has been declared an epicentre of African Swine Fever (ASF) under the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009. ASF does not infect humans and poses no risk to human health, but it spreads rapidly among pigs and has no vaccine or cure.
The Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Council (SVPMC), the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, the Revenue Administration and the A&N Police are acting jointly through a Special Task Force. SVPMC teams first identify pig owners and stray pigs within 1 km of the infected zone. A Compensation Verification Team led by the Tehsildar then records each owner’s pigs, their weight and the feed to be destroyed, before culling begins.
The pigs are culled humanely under the supervision of the Senior Veterinary Officer, as per the prescribed protocol. Carcasses are carried in designated vehicles and disposed scientifically in common deep pits away from habitation, after which premises, vehicles and equipment are disinfected.
Pig owners will be compensated as per Government of India norms, based on the weight of each pig, with payment made directly into their bank accounts through RTGS/NEFT.
Until further orders, transport of live pigs, pig feed, pork and pork products anywhere in the A&N Islands is prohibited, and also at pig markets and fairs. Carcasses must never be dumped in the sea or any water body.
Pig owners are urged to keep their pigs confined, report any sick or dead pig immediately, and cooperate with field teams.