Photo Courtesy: nenews
Kohima: Kohima officials have locked down parts of the district after confirming an outbreak of African Swine Fever. Deputy Commissioner B. Henok Buchem issued the order on July 16 following lab reports from the Chief Veterinary Officer. The disease hit Peducha Village, Phezoucha L Khel, P Khel of Kohima Village, and the Razha area near the Dzü-ü River on NH-29.
Authorities set a one-kilometre radius around these sites as an Infected Zone. They designated a 10-km radius as a Surveillance Zone. All movement, import, and export of live pigs and pork products in these areas is now illegal. The order is immediate.
Officials pulled no punches regarding local commerce. “All pork meat markets and butchery shops within the designated zones have also been ordered to remain closed until further notice.”
Farmers must now lock down their operations. This means restricting farm visitors and disinfecting premises regularly. Anyone spotting pig illness or death must report it to the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services. The administration also banned dumping carcasses in rivers or open spaces. Farmers must bury all dead pigs using official protocols.
The public should avoid meat from unverified sources. The government warned that violators face prosecution under the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009.
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