An outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) in pigs at Central Agricultural University (CAU), Imphal West District has been confirmed. The North Eastern Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Guwahati detected ASF on the samples sent by the Manipur governments from the unwell and dead pigs in the state. A total of 15 samples of dead pigs collected from Imphal West District, Moirang (Bishnupur district), Kamuching (Imphal East), and Ukhrul have been sent to Guwahati for laboratory tests.

According to an official notification, the pig Farm, operated by the CAU, Imphal is declared as the epicenter of ASF, and areas of Imphal West  District is required to be declared as controlled area for ASF with immediate effect to effectively prevent, and control, and eradicate the scheduled disease. The government authorities have taken up the initiatives following reports of the death of around 100 pigs during the past few days across the state. The floating of pig carcasses on the Sheng-mai River is creating panic among people relying on the river in several areas in the southern parts of the state at Tengnoupal and Kakching districts like Pallel, Kakching, Keirak, Wabagai, and others.

The official notification states that as per the provision of preventives and control of Infectious and Contagious Disease in Animals Act, 2009, the Pig Farm of the CAU, has been declared as an epicenter, all areas within a 1 km radius of the pig farm, CAU as an infected zone, areas within 10 km from CAU as surveillance zone.

Movement of pig (dead or alive) is strictly prohibited, movement and sale of pork and feed within the infected zone and materials that could have contacted the infected or suspected to be infected animals are prohibited, Culling of all infected animals shall be with proper information to the concerned authorities and all equipment/tools as well as vehicles used in the farms that are having pigs either infected or suspected to be infected shall be restricted from movement without proper protocols.

The government warns that any person who contravenes the provisions of the Act or obstructs the competent officer in performing duties under the Act shall be held guilty of an offense and punishable under the Act.