Stephan Kayyar

Daijiworld Media Network – Kasargod (EP)

Kasargod, Jan 11: “African Swine fever, a deadly virus, has been detected in Perla Katukukke here,” said district officer of animal husbandry. The virus was found in a piggery farm at Katukukke, Manjeshwar taluk.

All the necessary precautions have been taken to prevent its spread, said district additional DC A K Ramendran.

The deadly virus fever is found in the pet pigs and forest ones and it spreads by contact and other ways. It does not spread among human beings and other animals. Pigs around an area of one kilometre from the centre where it is detected will be destroyed.

Selling of pork is banned in a radius of 10 kilometres for three months from the spot where the virus was found. Transport of pork and sale of pork products also are banned.

The pigs that are destroyed will be disposed of in the scientific manner. A rapid action force from the district animal protection office is formed for the purpose. Assistance from the police, department of revenue, local administration, motor vehicles department, fire service etc., will be obtained. The team was formed under the leadership of Kasargod additional deputy commissioner. Police department and motor vehicles department will keep a watch for transportation and sale of pork defying the order.

The fever was found for the first time in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh in January, 2020.