The Directorate of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, Government of Nagaland has issued a public notice in view of the prevalence of African Swine Fever (ASF) in pigs and Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in bovine in Nagaland. The department stated that cases are likely to increase as winter approaches due to high movement of animals because of festive, wedding and other social gatherings in the State.

Hence, the department issued essential Dos and Don’ts for maintenance of strict bio-security within the suspected zone to contain ASF & LSD in Nagaland and prevent mortality of pigs/cows.

1. Immediately report unusual mortality of animals to the nearest Veterinary Centre to initiate surveillance, diagnostic & containment procedures by the Department.
2. While importing animals, ensure to import healthy and disease free animals (certified animals) into your farms/villages.
3. Do not feed swill & kitchen waste to pigs.
4. Do not consume the dead animals.
5. Follow deep burial method, at least 6 ft. deep, followed by spreading of lime / bleaching powder.
6. Do not throw the carcass in the river / canal stream / water bodies.
7. Sanitise the areas / sheds / troughs completely using the recommended solution.
8. Wash hand, feet, clothing etc properly with soap.
9. Seek assistance of Veterinarian for disinfecting the area.
10. Demarcate the areas into Infected Zone, Surveillance Zone & Free Zone with the help of AH & Veterinary Services Department for control & containment measures.
11. Do not give blind/symptomatic diagnosis or unconfirmed report so as to prevent false alarm to the surrounding farmers/villages. These ASF & LSD are notifiable diseases under “The Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Disease Animal Act, 2009, Gazette of India vide Part II-Section I, No. 29 and only competent authority shall notify in the public domain after laboratory confirmation through “Nucleotide Sequencing” of PCR products and RTPCR from NIHSAD, Bhopal, India.
12. Do not re-populate the pigs, without Department consultation as there is no vaccine available to prevent ASF.

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