Raipur, April 7
Panic has gripped Mudpar village in Chhattisgarh's Durg district after an outbreak of the highly contagious African Swine Fever led to the death of more than 250 pigs, followed by the humane culling of another 82 pigs to prevent further spread.
The crisis began on April 1 when sudden pig deaths were reported at a private pig farm in the village. The death toll rose rapidly within days. The farm owner immediately informed the district Veterinary Department.
A team of officials, wearing full PPE kits, rushed to the spot, conducted an inspection, and collected samples.
On April 2, the samples were sent to the ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal. Test results received on April 6 confirmed that all samples were positive for the African Swine Fever virus.
Following the confirmation and in strict adherence to the Government of India's Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), the remaining 82 pigs were euthanised through injection on expert advice.
All carcasses, both naturally dead and culled, were buried in deep pits with the help of a JCB excavator.
Local officers said reports of pig deaths were received from a farm in Mudpar village.
Samples were immediately collected and sent to the laboratory, where the presence of African Swine Fever was confirmed.
In accordance with the Government of India's SOPs, all pigs at the site were culled.
It was clarified that this disease does not affect humans; it impacts only pigs. The district collector has declared a one-kilometre radius around the affected farm an "Infected Zone", while a ten-kilometre radius has been notified as a "Surveillance Zone".
The farm premises have been sealed by the district administration.
Officials have launched a detailed investigation to trace the source of the pigs, their procurement details, and any previous transport routes.
African Swine Fever is a highly fatal viral disease that affects only domestic and wild pigs, not humans.
It has a mortality rate of nearly 100 per cent among infected animals, and no cure or vaccine is currently available anywhere in the world.
The disease does not transmit to humans and poses no threat to human health.
However, as a precautionary measure, the public has been strictly advised not to consume meat from infected or exposed pigs.
The district Veterinary Department and administration are closely monitoring the surveillance zone to ensure the disease does not spread further.
Pig farmers in the surrounding areas have been alerted to report any unusual deaths immediately.
- IANS
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