African swine flu threat looms large; pigs to be culled in this state; deets inside

Kannur (Kerala), August 19:  The outbreak of African swine flu has been reported at Kanichar village in northern district of Kerala. Following this, the District Collector has ordered culling of pigs in two farms within the area.

A District Animal Husbandry official has also confirmed the presence of African swine flu at a privately owned farm situated in Malayampadi on Friday.  District officials have instructed the culling of pigs in both affected farms and another neighbouring farm within a 10km radius. The carcasses are to be buried in accordance with the established protocols.

Official sources said a zone of one km around the pig farm, where the infection was identified, had been designated as an infected area. A disease surveillance zone extending to a radius of 10 km has also been established.

The distribution, sale, and transportation of pork within the designated area, as well as its transfer to other locations, has been prohibited for a period of three months.

The local authorities have been asked to submit an urgent report to confirm whether the pigs from the affected farm were transported to other farms in the last two months.