Spread of ASF contained
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 03 2024: Ng Ibotombi, Director, Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department has asserted that the State Government has successfully contained the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) with no new cases being reported after December 1 .

Speaking to The Sangai Express, Ng Ibotombi recalled that during the first week of October, 2023 the Veterinary Department investigated a huge outbreak of a disease which killed many pigs in the State.

Samples from the pig farm at Central Agriculture University complex and other parts of Manipur were sent to Eastern Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Guwahati for testing on October 11 and 12 in two batches.

On October 12, the Laboratory confirmed that the sample from the CAU complex pig farm had tested positive for ASF.

Thereafter the State Government took up extensive measures to control the spread of the disease following the guidelines as per the ASF National Action Plan given by the Indian Government.

The outbreak of ASF spread through seven districts of the State, namely, Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Ukhrul, Kamjong and Kakching, said the Director.

Under Imphal East district, fourteen epicentres were located and 278 pigs from 676 farms were culled and 6897 kgs of feed were destroyed.

Similarly, 8 epicentres of ASF were found in Imphal West district and 1115 pigs were culled from 439 farms with the destruction of 15,585 kgs of feed.

In Bishnupur, nine epicentres were located, 300 pigs from 337 farms were culled and 1100 kgs of feed were destroyed.

At Kakching, one epicentre was found, 29 pigs culled from 23 farms and 112 kg of feeds destroyed.

Meanwhile at Thoubal, the number of epicentres stood at 3 and 10 pigs were culled.

Ukhrul reported only one epicentre and the culling of five pigs.

Only one epicentre was found at Kamjong but 44 pigs were culled.

Stringent control measures were taken up across these seven districts from October, 2023 and these measures achieved completion by December 29, 2023, said the Director.

Altogether, 37 epicentres were reported and 1781 pigs from 1662 farms were culled with a total of 23694 kg of pig feed destroyed across the seven districts.

Detailing the measures taken up by the Veterinary Department, Ng Ibotombi stated that from October 13, 2023 onwards 35 Veterinary Rapid Response Team/Task Force were formed comprising 5 members including a doctor each to visit the epicentres and carry out culling of pigs, sanitization, disinfection etc.

Meanwhile, 67 Veterinary Rapid Response Teams (RRT) inspected the surveillance zones for any case or transmission of ASF.

Stating that most recently on December 1, ASF cases were detected at two pig farms in Bishnupur and Imphal West district respectively, the Director shared that no new cases of ASF have been reported since then.

Expressing happiness that the disease has been successfully contained, Ng Ibotombi said that despite the devastation caused by the outbreak to pig farmers, one kg of pork is now sold for Rs 380/400 .

Responding to a query about compensation to the affected pig farmers, Ng Ibotombi informed that the State Veterinary Directorate has submitted a written application to the Central Government appealing for compensation to the affected individuals.

As soon as the Centre releases the funds, compensations will be awarded to the affected people via Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) .

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