SHILLONG, Aug 30 – In the wake of the African Swine Fever outbreak, 19 villages in Meghalaya have been declared as the ‘epicentres’ of the disease.
The State Government has imposed restrictions on the movement of people and pigs from these ‘epicentres’ spread across East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, East Jaintia Hills and West Jaintia Hills districts.
The restrictions have been placed not just in the affected villages, but also in the surrounding areas up to 10 km radius.
“There shall be restriction on movement of people to the infected zones,” a government notification said.
Restrictions have also been imposed on transportation of items related to piggery like veterinary medicine, feed, equipment, and breeding tools from the infected zones.
All equipment, supplies associated with piggery should not be moved out of the pig sheds/pig farms. The pig farm owners and pig handlers have been asked to maintain hygiene and biosecurity in pig farms and restrict entry of people into their farms.
There will be complete prohibition on movement of pig handlers from one pig shed to another. Vehicles shall be allowed to move out of the infected zones only after disinfection. The District Veterinary Officers and Rapid Response Teams will take steps in their respective areas to make everyone in and around the infected zones aware of the restrictions in force.
