Longding, Arunachal Pradesh: African Swine Fever (ASF) has officially made its presence felt in Luaksim village, Longding district, triggering a rapid response from local veterinary authorities. The confirmation came on Wednesday after a blood sample from the village yielded a positive result at the National Research Centre on Pig in Rani, Assam. The sample had been meticulously collected and dispatched for testing by the Kanubari Mobile Veterinary Unit, under the watchful eye of veterinary officer Dr. Ganno Tayeng.
Following the grim confirmation, the Veterinary Department of Longding district wasted no time in issuing a comprehensive public advisory, laying down strict protocols to rein in the highly contagious disease. This virulent ailment, known to devastate both domestic and wild pig populations, currently has no cure or vaccine, making containment paramount.
Dr. Ojuli Moyong, the District Veterinary Officer (DVO), has promptly declared a 1 km radius around Luaksim village as an ‘infected zone’, adhering to established standard operating procedures. Complementing this, a broader 10 km radius extending beyond the infected area has been designated as a ‘surveillance zone’.
To staunch the potential outward flow of the disease, a complete ban has been enforced on the movement of pigs and piglets into and out of both the infected and surveillance zones. Furthermore, the sale and slaughter of pigs within these demarcated areas have been strictly prohibited until further directives are issued.
In a decisive move, all local pig markets, including any temporary or weekly markets operational within the notified zones, have been ordered to cease operations with immediate effect. Veterinary officials have earnestly appealed to the public and, more specifically, to pig farmers, to extend their full cooperation with the containment efforts. They have also urged prompt reporting of any instances of illness or fatalities among pigs in their localities. Meanwhile, authorities have already initiated awareness drives, enlightening communities about the symptoms and inherent risks associated with African Swine Fever.
While ASF poses no direct threat to human health, its economic implications are severe, particularly for the livestock economy. Pig farming serves as a vital source of livelihood in many rural and tribal pockets of the region. The Longding district administration has reassured the public that all necessary measures are being undertaken to diligently monitor the evolving situation and prevent any further dissemination of the virus.
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