The Nagaon district administration has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) after African Swine Fever (ASF) was confirmed in pigs at Halowagaon village under the Samaguri Revenue Circle, prompting an emergency response to contain the outbreak.
According to an order issued by Nagaon Deputy Commissioner Devasish Sharma, the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department confirmed the presence of African Swine Fever through laboratory testing following a surge in suspected cases in the area.
As part of the containment measures, the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department on Saturday began culling around 55 infected pigs at a farm owned by Arbind Saikia in Halowagaon.
The district administration has declared Halowagaon as the epicentre, with a 1-km radius designated as the infected zone and a 10-km radius notified as the surveillance zone.
The prohibitory order bans the transportation of live pigs, pork and pork products within the 10-km surveillance zone. The sale of pork and pork products within the 1-km infected zone has also been prohibited.
In addition, the administration has imposed a complete ban on the slaughter, purchase and sale of pigs within the surveillance zone to prevent further spread of the disease.
The order further directs pig farmers to immediately report any pig deaths to the Veterinary Department, ensure proper disposal of carcasses following biosecurity protocols, and maintain strict biosecurity measures at farms. Transportation of pig feed will also require prior permission from the Veterinary Department.
The restrictions have come into force with immediate effect and will remain in place until further orders. The district administration has warned that any violation of the prohibitory order will attract legal action under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Assam: Pig Deaths Mount in Nagaon, Farmers Fear African Swine Fever