The Animal Resources Development Department (ARDD) of Tripura on Sunday confirmed the detection of African Swine Fever (ASF) after several pigs were found dead under unusual circumstances at the Nalkata Regional Foreign Pig Breeding Centre in Dhalai district.
According to a state government report, the administration has declared Nalkata as the epicentre of the highly infectious disease and rolled out strict containment measures to prevent further spread. Villages within a one-kilometre radius of Nalkata have been notified as “infected zones”, while areas falling within a 10-kilometre radius have been marked as “surveillance zones”.
In the infected zones, all pigs will be culled humanely and disposed of through burial or burning. Movement of live pigs, pig feed and pork has been completely banned in and out of these areas. Transport of pigs by freight or animal vehicles will not be allowed without a valid sanitation certificate issued by competent authorities, the report said.
The government has also directed that suspected or infected pigs, along with materials that may have come in contact with them — including feed, sheds and carcasses — must not be moved outside the infected area under any circumstances.
Animal markets, fairs, exhibitions or gatherings involving multiple animals have been prohibited unless specifically permitted by a veterinarian in the larger public interest. Officials from municipal bodies, panchayats, rural development, revenue and agriculture departments have been asked to assist veterinarians in implementing the restrictions.
The report warned that violators, including those dumping infected carcasses in rivers or other water bodies, could face imprisonment, fines, or both under the Animal Disease Prevention and Control Act, 2009.
In the surveillance zones, all restrictions applicable to infected areas will remain in force, except penalties related to carcass disposal in water bodies. Pigs in these areas will be kept under close clinical, virological and serological monitoring. Special surveillance will be carried out in pig populations located near forest areas in coordination with forest authorities to curb any further spread of the disease.