GUWAHATI: African Swine Fever (ASF) has spread to two more districts in Assam, with fresh outbreaks confirmed in Lakhimpur and Nagaon, prompting authorities to impose prohibitory orders and intensify containment measures.
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The district administrations of both Lakhimpur and Nagaon have invoked Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to curb the spread of the highly contagious disease among pigs.
In Lakhimpur, District Commissioner Pronab Jit Kakoty issued the prohibitory order after ASF was confirmed at two locations under the North Lakhimpur Development Block. The affected sites are the premises of Partha Pratim Borgohain at Dhakuakhia Chiringchuk and Hemen Phukan at Sonari Chiringchuk, both of which have been declared the epicentres of the outbreak.
Meanwhile, in Nagaon, ASF was confirmed through laboratory testing in pigs at Halowagaon village under the Samaguri Revenue Circle following a rise in suspected cases. The district administration, led by Deputy Commissioner Devasish Sharma, immediately enforced restrictions to prevent further transmission.
As part of the containment drive, the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department on Saturday, July 4, began culling around 55 infected pigs at a farm owned by Arbind Saikia in Halowagaon.
The administration has declared Halowagaon as the epicentre, with a 1-km radius designated as the infected zone and a 10-km radius notified as the surveillance zone.
Under the prohibitory orders, the transportation of live pigs, pork and pork products has been banned within the 10-km surveillance zone. The sale of pork and pork products has also been prohibited within the 1-km infected zone. In addition, the slaughter, purchase and sale of pigs have been completely banned across the surveillance zone.
Authorities have directed pig farmers to immediately report any pig deaths to the Veterinary Department, dispose of carcasses in accordance with prescribed biosecurity protocols, and maintain strict biosecurity measures at their farms. Transportation of pig feed will require prior approval from the Veterinary Department.
The latest outbreaks come weeks after ASF first surfaced in Upper Assam. The disease was initially reported in Tinsukia in late May, followed by Dibrugarh on May 30 and Charaideo on June 13. In Dibrugarh, authorities had declared 83 villages as infected and surveillance zones after the virus was traced to Romai Kordoibum village.
The restrictions in both Lakhimpur and Nagaon have come into effect immediately and will remain in force until further orders. District administrations have warned that violations of the prohibitory orders will invite legal action under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).