An outbreak of disease among pigs has been reported in Car Nicobar over the past four weeks. Samples collected by the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services (AH&VS) were tested at designated laboratories on the mainland, confirming Classical Swine Fever (CSF). Previous outbreaks in the Union Territory were reported during 2000–2003.
CSF is a highly contagious viral disease affecting pigs. It does not infect humans, cattle or goats and poses no direct risk to human health. However, it can cause serious illness and deaths among pigs, affecting farmers’ livelihoods. Timely vaccination, prompt reporting and strict biosecurity—measures that prevent infection from entering or spreading between pig sheds—are essential for disease control.
All pig owners and farmers are advised to observe the following precautions:
Measures to be followed
•Immediate isolation: Sick or suspected pigs must be separated from healthy animals, with separate feeding and drinking containers.
•Early reporting: High fever, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, changes in skin colour, weakness or sudden deaths must be reported promptly to the nearest Veterinary Officer or Senior Veterinary Officer. Even a single suspected case should be reported without waiting for further illness or deaths.
•Treatment: There is no specific treatment. Contact the nearest veterinary institutions for care of sick animals. Supportive treatment can help save lives.
•Vaccination: All eligible healthy animals above 6 weeks age should be vaccinated as advised by veterinary authorities. Full cooperation should be extended to departmental vaccination and surveillance teams.
•Cleaning and disinfection: Pig sheds, feeding containers, equipment and footwear should be regularly cleaned and disinfected as advised by veterinary staff. These precautions help prevent infection from being carried between premises.
•Safe feed and water: Clean drinking water and hygienic feed should be provided, and feeding and drinking containers kept clean.
•Record maintenance: Simple records of purchases, animal movements, vaccinations, illness and deaths should be maintained to assist disease surveillance.
•Safe disposal: Deaths must be reported to veterinary staff. Dead pigs should be disposed of through deep burial under veterinary guidance, following prescribed precautions.
•Separation of newly purchased pigs: Newly purchased pigs should be kept separately for observation for the period advised by the Veterinary Officer before being introduced into the existing herd.
Practices to be avoided
•Sick or suspected pigs must not be sold, transported, exchanged or slaughtered, as these activities may spread the disease.
•Pigs, pork, carcasses, equipment or potentially contaminated materials must not be moved from affected or suspected premises without veterinary permission.
•Uncooked kitchen waste or pork products must not be fed to pigs, as these may carry infection.
•Unnecessary entry into pig sheds should be restricted. Persons entering the premises should follow cleaning and disinfection precautions.
•Dead pigs must not be disposed of in open areas or water bodies, sold or used for consumption.
Veterinary teams will undertake surveillance, vaccination and sample collection for testing. All pig owners and farmers are requested to cooperate with departmental teams and promptly report suspected cases.
Early reporting and strict adherence to these precautions are essential to protect pig herds and farmers’ livelihoods. Toll Free number for assistance -112
For further information, vaccination assistance or reporting of illness and deaths, the nearest Veterinary Institution may be contacted.