Manipur's Imphal West declared as controlled area for African Swine Fever

Imphal West (Manipur) [India], October 15 : 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.
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).
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".
"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", read the notification.