Seven more pig farms in Imphal East district have been notified as the epicentre of the African Swine Fever (ASF) that has grabbed many districts across Manipur.
According to a notification by Khumanthem Diana Devi, Deputy Commissioner, Imphal East District, as per Secretariat, Veterinary & Animal Husbandry Department vide Notification No. Misc-103/1/2021-Vety-VETY & AH dated November 2, 2023, seven new piggery/pig farms in Imphal East districts have been reported for the outbreak of the African Swine Fever.
The places are Piggery farm of T Rishikanta Singh at Khurai Chingangbar leikai in Heingang CD Block, farms of Laishram lelbaklei Devi of Top Khongnang Makhong and Y Suraj Singh of Top Mayal leikai in Kshetrigao CD Block, farm of W. Ibetombi Devi of Kangla Sangomsang and farm of Sanasam Kiranbala & Achom Roshan of Kangu Chingjin Khunou under Imphal East-I (Sawombung) CD Block and farm of Soibam Maniton of Arapti Awang leikai and farm of L Robindro Singh of Yairipok under Imphal East-II Keirao CD Block.
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The district magistrate said that the aforesaid mentioned epicentres and area within 10 km radius of each epicentre is required to be declared as controlled area for ASF with immediate effect to effectively prevent, control and eradicate the scheduled disease.
Therefore, as per the provisions of the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Disease in Animals Act, 2009, the farms mentioned above are notified as EPICENTRE, area within 1 km radius of the farms are notified as INFECTED ZONE and areas within 10 km radius of the farms are notified as SURVEILLANCE ZONE, and the area outside 10 km radius of the epicentre are notified as FREE ZONE with immediate effect, the IE deputy commissioner said.
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Measures have also been taken up in the controlled areas for African Swine Fever with immediate effect and they are strict prohibition on movement of pigs (dead or alive); movement and sale of pork and feed within the infected zone and materials that could have contacted the infected or suspected to be infected animals are prohibited; culling of all pigs of the infected zone shall be done by the Officials of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department, Manipur by following proper protocols and all equipments/tools as well as vehicles used in the farms that are having pigs, either infected or suspected to be infected, shall be restricted from movement without following proper protocols.
The notification also stated that any person(s) who contravenes the provisions of the Act or obstructs the competent officer in performing duties under the Act shall be held guilty of an offence and punishable under the Act.
