The Nagaland administration confirmed on Tuesday that African Swine Fever (ASF) has been detected in three villages of the Kohima district. The disease, a highly contagious viral infection that is lethal to domestic pigs, was first identified in the affected premises after routine testing by the state veterinary department. Deputy Commissioner B. Henok Buchem announced that a one‑kilometre radius around the infected farms will be declared a quarantine zone, prohibiting the movement of pigs, pork products, and related equipment. Veterinary officials have begun culling infected animals, collecting samples for laboratory confirmation, and disinfecting the surrounding area to prevent further spread.
Local pig farmers were urged to report any unusual deaths or symptoms in their herds immediately. The authorities have also set up a compensation scheme for owners of culled livestock, though the exact amount has yet to be disclosed. In addition to physical containment, the administration is coordinating with the Nagaland State Animal Husbandry Department to disseminate awareness material on biosecurity measures, such as restricting farm visitors, using dedicated footwear, and ensuring proper disposal of carcasses.
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The outbreak comes at a time when pig rearing forms a crucial source of income for many households in the hilly terrain of Nagaland. Over the past few weeks, the state has intensified surveillance after neighboring states reported sporadic ASF cases. The swift declaration of a containment zone reflects lessons learned from earlier outbreaks in Assam and West Bengal, where delayed responses contributed to wider transmission across districts.
