Photo Courtesy: nagalandpost
Kohima: The Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services organized an educational workshop on African Swine Fever for butchers and traders in Dimapur on June 4. Held at the CVO Conference Hall, the event brought together 20 participants, including representatives from the Pork Butchers Union and the Dimapur Municipal Council Veterinary Public Health Cell.
Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Sentinungla Ao chaired the session, which aimed to curb the spread of the virus. Dr. Vikshe Sumi explained that African Swine Fever is a highly contagious disease characterized by a 100 percent mortality rate in pigs. He emphasized that "ASF does not affect humans" while noting that the virus spreads rapidly through contaminated pork, equipment, and clothing.
Officials urged traders to source livestock only from certified disease-free farms. The department also advised against swill feeding and stressed the importance of implementing strict biosecurity measures at slaughterhouses and meat shops. Traders were encouraged to report any sudden pig deaths or abnormal symptoms to the nearest veterinary facility immediately.
The session also covered essential meat hygiene standards. Dr. Akumna Tzudir instructed participants on the necessity of maintaining clean, fly-free stalls and adhering to strict personal hygiene practices to protect public health. These measures are critical for the region, as Nagaland currently imports roughly 40 to 50 percent of its pork supply from states including Punjab, Haryana, and Karnataka.
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