Jharkhand govt on alert after African Swine Fever kills over 800 pigs in Ranchi
India Today
Jharkhand government has issued a list of dos and don’ts and a toll-free number to several districts in the state to spread cautiousness against the spread of African Swine Fever.
More than 800 pigs have died of African Swine Fever (ASF) since July 27 in Ranchi district of Jharkhand, an official said.
The ASF, which was first detected in the country in Assam in February 2020, affects both domestic and feral swine.
State Animal Husbandry director Shashi Prakash Jha told PTI, “Samples were sent for testing to National Institute of High Security Animal Disease (NIHSAD) in Bhopal early this month. The reports returned positive for ASF.”
About 1,000 pigs have died of ASF in the state, the official said.
ASF is a highly infectious haemorrhagic viral disease of pigs but it is not transmitted from animals to humans.
Sensing the gravity of the situation, the Animal Husbandry department has issued a list of ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ and a toll-free number (18003097711) for swineherds, the official said.
Though most of the pig deaths so far have been reported from Ranchi district, an advisory has been issued to all 24 districts for taking precautionary measures.
