DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 19 (MExN): The Directorate of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services has issued a public appeal informing that occurrence of African Swine Fever (ASF) in pigs and Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in bovine is still prevalent in Nagaland.
The incidence is likely to increase as winter approaches due to high movement of animals because of festivities, wedding & other social gatherings in the State, informed a press release from the directorate. It issued an appeal with regard to mortality of pigs and cows for maintenance of strict bio-security measures within suspected zones.
It advised immediate reporting of unusual mortality of animals to the nearest Veterinary Centre to initiate surveillance, diagnostic and containment procedures by the department. While importing animals, it asked people to ensure import of only healthy and disease free animals (certified animals) into farms and villages.
Further, the directorate asked people not to feed swill and kitchen waste to pigs; not consume dead animals; follow deep burial method, at least 6 feet deep, followed by spreading of lime/bleaching powder; and not throw carcass in the river/canal stream/water bodies.
It also advised people to sanitise areas/sheds/troughs completely using the recommended solution; wash hands, feet, clothing etc properly with soap; seek assistance of a Veterinarian for disinfecting the area; and demarcate areas into Infected Zone, Surveillance Zone & Free Zone with the help of AH & Veterinary Services Department for control & containment measures.
Meanwhile, it asked people not to give blind/symptomatic diagnosis or unconfirmed report so as to prevent false alarm to the surrounding farmers/villages. ASF and LSD are notifiable diseases under the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Disease Animal Act, 2009, Gazette of India vide Part II-Section I, No. 29 and only competent authority can notify in the public domain after laboratory confirmation through Nucleotide Sequencing of PCR products and RTPCR from NIHSAD, Bhopal, India.
The directorate urged people not to re-populate pigs without the department’s consultation as there is no vaccine available to prevent ASF.
