Officials along with the participants during the ASF awareness programme held at the Conference Hall of the CVO in Dimapur on June 4.
Dimapur, June 5 (MExN): The Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services organised an awareness programme on African Swine Fever (ASF) for pig butchers and traders in Dimapur, highlighting preventive measures to contain the highly contagious disease and safeguard the state's pig farming sector.
The programme was held on June 4 at the Chief Veterinary Officer's Conference Hall and attended by 20 participants, including members of the pork butchers' union, representatives of the Veterinary Public Health Cell under the Dimapur Municipal Council and pig traders.
The event was chaired by Chief Veterinary Officer, Dimapur, Dr Sentinungla Ao.
Addressing the participants, District Livestock Development Officer Dr Vikshe Sumi explained that ASF is a highly contagious viral disease affecting pigs, with mortality rates reaching nearly 100 per cent. He, however, clarified that the disease does not infect humans.
Sumi said the virus spreads through infected pigs, contaminated pork products, equipment, vehicles and clothing. He urged traders and butchers to source pigs only from ASF-free farms with valid health certificates and advised against the sale, movement or processing of sick or dead pigs, as such practices could accelerate the spread of infection.
He also stressed the importance of avoiding swill feeding, noting that feeding pigs with kitchen waste and food scraps could facilitate disease transmission. Participants were encouraged to adopt strict biosecurity and disinfection measures at stockyards, slaughterhouses and meat shops.
The officer further called for immediate reporting of sudden pig deaths, high fever, skin haemorrhages or abnormal behaviour in pigs to the nearest veterinary health centre or hospital.
Highlighting the economic significance of the sector, Sumi said pig butchers and traders play a crucial role in preventing ASF outbreaks and protecting the livelihoods of pig farmers as well as their own businesses. Participants were also briefed on the National Action Plan for Control, Containment and Eradication of ASF, which is implemented during disease outbreaks.
Veterinary Assistant Surgeon Dr Akumna Tzudir conducted a session on meat hygiene practices, emphasising personal hygiene, maintaining clean and fly-free meat stalls and the role of traders and butchers in safeguarding public health.
Officials also informed participants that Nagaland imports around 40-50 per cent of its pigs from states such as Punjab, Haryana and Karnataka. They said all imported pigs are supplied with health certificates issued by qualified veterinarians and undergo testing for ASF and Classical Swine Fever (CSF), particularly during outbreaks, while crossing Assam and entering Nagaland.
The department said veterinary officials also conduct physical examinations and disease surveillance at interstate entry points to prevent the introduction and spread of major livestock and poultry diseases.
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