African Swine Fever in pigs confirmed in Manipur’s Bishnupur, begins containment measures

Imphal: African Swine Fever (ASF) positive cases have been confirmed amongst pigs at Rainbow Piggery Farm, Leimaram Makha Leikai, Bishnupur district of Manipur on Monday.

In view of the impending threat of the disease, the office of the district deputy commissioner immediately issued order to take up containment measures to prevent spread of the disease in the area.

Additional district magistrate, Bishnupur, Hanjabam Bobby Sharma, under section 6 of the “Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009” notified with immediate effect as “Controlled Areas” for African Swine Fever (ASF) at the Rainbow piggery farm.

Under Section 7 of “The Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009”, the additional magistrate declared containment measures in the geographical areas that no pig shall be moved from the place where it is kept within the controlled area. Sale of pig, pork, feed and related items have been banned.

The areas falling within 1 km radius from the epicenter of the disease is declared as “Infected Zone” and areas falling within 9 km radius from the Infected zone is hereby declared as “Surveillance Zone” for taking up control and containment procedures, the order said.

Any persons, institution or organisation found violating any of the containment measures shall be deemed to have committed an offence punishable under the said Act, it added.

Positive cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) were confirmed at the Pig Breeding Farm, Hiyanglam, Kakching district on June 25. The same was also confirmed at Dang’s Piggery Farming located at Grihang village, Kamjong district on June 2.