March 31, 2023

Eighteen pigs put down at farm in Namakkal, India, after ASF outbreak

Eighteen pigs were culled at a private farm in Rasipuram, Namakkal, India, on March 30 following an outbreak of African swine fever (ASF).

"All the piglets in the farm were culled and buried deeply as per the standard operating procedure. ASF was detected after two pigs died of a sudden illness on March 9," said Dr. S. Baskar, joint director of the Animal Husbandry Department.

Following the unexpected death, the farm owner took the carcass for testing at Namakkal Veterinary College. Samples were also sent to the Central University Laboratory in Chennai and the National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases in Bhopal — the results of which came positive on March 23.

Four teams of veterinarians were then deployed in the demarcated epicentre of infection, infected zone, surveillance zone and free zone.

"The infected farm has been declared a containment zone barring entry to outsiders and pigs should not be reared for one year," said Dr. Baskar. "Other piggery units should also follow biosecurity measures and veterinary doctors are monitoring those farms. If there are any unusual deaths, the samples will be taken up for investigation."

- DT Next