Meghalaya Affected by African Swine Fever, 259 Pigs Killed in Rebhoi

Shillong: At least 259 pigs have died due to African swine fever (ASF) in Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi district this year, a senior veterinary and animal department official said on Monday.

“At least 259 pigs have died in four neighboring villages in Ri-Bhoidistrict. All of them had a positive test for ASF,” GHP Raju, principal secretary, veterinary and animal department, told PTI.
He said that 45 pigs died on Sunday.

According to the Livestock Census Department, there are more than 53,000 pigs in the district and a total of 3.85 lakh pigs are registered across the state.

The veterinary department first reported the outbreak on April 13, following which the Animals Act 2009 issued guidelines for the prevention and control of infectious and contagious diseases, including the village of Umshorshor and its environs. Slaughtering, movement of pigs and movement of goods within 10 km were banned.
According to the notification, villages within a one-kilometer radius of the affected compound (disease center) have been designated as infected zones and all villages within a 10-kilometer radius of the affected compound ( The disease center) has been designated as Surveillance Zone.

While pigs are allowed in the surveillance zone, pigs are not allowed in the affected areas and handlers are not allowed in other pig sheds.