Govt to declare affected areas as ‘containment zones’, after 24 of 73 pigs died due to African Swine Fever

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 13, 2020

The state government has decided to declare areas affected by the African swine fever as ‘containment zones’ to prevent the spread of the highly-contagious disease among the pigs in the state.

The decision was taken after 73 pigs have reportedly died in the state.

Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Animal Husbandry & Veterinary department, Prestone Tynsong told reporters on Thursday that 24 of the 73 death cases in the state have been confirmed due to the African swine fever.

“Samples have been collected from the 49 others and sent for further investigation,” Tynsong said while informing that the disease has been detected in at least 12 villages in four districts including East Khasi Hills, Ri Bhoi, West Jaintia Hills and West Khasi Hills.

Tynsong said the issue related to the spread of the disease was also discussed in the daily review meeting held today under chairmanship of the Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma.

“We have decided to immediately declare villages throughout the state which are affected by the disease as containment zones. A notification on this regard is being prepared by the Animal Husbandry & Veterinary department,” he informed.

The deputy chief minister further stated that the government will not allow people to either slaughter pigs or consume pork meat in areas falling under these containment zones.

“This decision has been taken to contain further spread of the disease in the piggery sector,” he added.

Asked, Tynsong said that the government suspects that the spread of the disease is from neighbouring Assam, where thousands of pigs have died.

“In view of this, we have already restricted inter-state as well as inter-district transportation of pigs,” he said while urging the stakeholders to cooperate with the government in its effort to contain the spread of the disease in the state.

The deputy chief minister however maintained that the recent deaths of pigs in East Jaintia Hills was not due to African swine fever.