Shillong: The Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department in Meghalaya has confirmed that pork is safe for consumption as the recent African Swine Fever outbreak appears to be under control. Officials reported that no new cases of the disease have emerged across the state for several days.
Principal Secretary Frederick R. Kharkongor noted that the situation has improved drastically since the peak of the outbreak in May. He stated, “The outbreak was at its peak in May, but by June the number of cases has come down substantially. For the past several days, no fresh ASF cases have been reported from any part of the state.”
While the state previously implemented a ban on the movement of pigs and pork trade across six districts to curb the spread, surveillance efforts remain active. Rapid Response Teams continue to monitor the affected regions to ensure the situation remains stable.
Kharkongor urged the public to remain calm, emphasizing that the virus is not zoonotic and cannot jump from pigs to humans. He noted, “Pork is safe for consumption. However, as with any meat, it should be cooked properly before eating.” This decline in cases marks a vital relief for the local pig farming industry, which serves as a primary source of income for many rural families in the Northeast region.
Comments