Imphal: Following the confirmation of an outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) in a farm of the All India Co-ordinated Research Project (AICRP) at Central Agricultural University, Iroisemba, the state government has declared the whole Imphal West district as a controlled area for ASF with immediate effect. However, the notification did not mention anything about the Kakching district, which has also been reporting the death of pigs under similar circumstances.
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However, speaking to ANI Dr NG Ibotombi Singh, Director, Directorate of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry explained that though African Swine Fever is a high morbidity disease for pigs it does not transmit to humans and the public has no reason to worry about a health crisis. He said,
Samples have been collected from the Kakching, Moirang, Lamlai and Ukhrul areas and sent to Assam for confirmation.
Meanwhile, in an order issued on Friday, Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Services designated the Pig Farm at CAU as the epicentre of the ASF outbreak.
Immediate measures are being initiated under the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Disease in Animals Act, 2009, and in accordance with the National Action Plan, 2020.
These measures are aimed at preventing, controlling and eradicating the ASF disease in the affected zone, covering a 1 Km radius from the infected premises, the order stated.
Secretary, of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry on Friday notified that there is a confirmed report of the outbreak of ‘African Swine Fever (ASF)’ among the pigs of Central Agricultural University, Iroisemba, Manipur reared under the All Indian Co-ordinated Research Project (AICRP).
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Moreover, Pig Farm, CAU, Iroisemba, Imphal West is declared as the ‘Epicentre of African Swine Fever (ASF).
Action would be taken for control, containment and eradication of African Swine Fever in the Infect-ed Zone covering a 1km radius of infected premises, and the ‘surveillance zone’ covering a 10 km radius from infected premises (or 9 km outside the ‘infected zone’) and ‘Free Zone’ beyond ‘Surveillance Zone’.
The notification of controlled areas for African Swine Fever further mentioned that “no pig shall be moved from the place where it is kept within the controlled area and no person shall take out any animal of the notified species from the controlled area, death or alive, which is infected or reasonably suspected to have been infected and any kind of feed or material which could have come into contact with such animal”. The notification read,
Any person who contravenes the provisions of the Act or obstructs the competent officer performing duties under the Act shall be guilty of an offence and punishable under the Act.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – theLGBTQ population,indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In wake of the currentCOVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water,SanitationandHygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fightmalnutrition, mental wellbeing, self care, science and health,adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues likeair pollution,waste management,plastic ban,manual scavengingand sanitation workers andmenstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India wheretoilets are used andopen defecation free (ODF)status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched byPrime Minister Narendra Modiin 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.
