Dibrugarh: Dhemaji district administration has declared two areas as infected zones following an outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF).In orders issued on Oct 12, additional district magistrate Bharat Konwar imposed restrictions on the sale, purchase, transport and slaughter of pigs within one kilometre of the affected locations. The orders, issued under Section 163 of the BNSS, 2023, will remain in force until further orders.The first zone covers the area around Ramchandra Doley’s residence at Nalbari Botakhana village under Bordoloni block, near the State Veterinary Dispensary at Gogamukh. The second covers the area around Arati Changmai’s residence at Balijan village under Dhemaji block, near the State Veterinary Dispensary at Bagharia.Villages within 10 km of each infected zone have been declared surveillance zones.The orders prohibit the sale, purchase and transport of live pigs, as well as the movement of raw, cooked or processed pork products, into or out of the affected areas. Pig slaughter is also banned there.Vehicles carrying pigs or pig feed will face restrictions. Pigs transported by road or rail cannot be unloaded en route without a sanitisation certificate from the competent veterinary authority. The removal of live or dead pigs infected, or suspected to be infected, with ASF is prohibited.Veterinary authorities will conduct surveillance, awareness campaigns, disinfection and safe carcass disposal. ASF is highly contagious and fatal, and can cause significant losses to pig farmers.
