THRISSUR: An outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF), a highly contagious and lethal disease affecting both farm-raised and wild pigs, has been confirmed at a farm in Kerala's Thrissur district. Officials announced on Friday that the disease was detected among pigs owned by Kuttalapuzha Babu in Veliyanthara, 14th ward.

Thrissur district authorities, responding swiftly to contain the outbreak, have ordered the culling of 310 pigs at the affected farm in Madakkathara panchayat. The district Collector directed the Animal Husbandry Officer to oversee the culling process and subsequent primary disinfection measures.

A specialized team comprising doctors, livestock inspectors, and attendants will carry out the culling operation, ensuring strict adherence to safety protocols. The area within a one-kilometer radius of the affected farm has been declared a disease-affected zone, with a broader 10-kilometer radius designated as a disease surveillance area.

Strict restrictions have been imposed on the transportation of pork, operation of pig farms, and movement of pigs, pork, and feed into and out of the affected zones until further notice. The Animal Husbandry Department is conducting thorough investigations to ascertain if pigs were moved from the infected farm to others within the past two months.

Furthermore, stringent checks have been implemented at checkposts and entry points across the district to prevent illegal transportation of pigs and pork from Thrissur and neighboring areas.

Authorities have assured the public that ASF, which exclusively affects pigs, poses minimal risk of transmission to other animals or humans. Precautionary measures are being extended to other areas of Thrissur district to preempt any potential spread of the virus.

In the event of detecting ASF in other regions, local officials have been instructed to promptly inform veterinary officers and initiate necessary containment measures to curb further transmission.

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