PATIALA, July 31 — Authorities have confirmed an outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) at a pig farm in Ravas Brahmanan village, prompting emergency measures to curb the spread of the highly contagious disease.
District officials said the outbreak was verified following a series of lab tests. Deaths of pigs were first reported last week, leading to immediate intervention by the Animal Husbandry Department, which conducted post-mortems and sent samples to the Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (RDDL) in Jalandhar, and subsequently to the National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal.
Upon confirmation from NIHSAD, the area was declared an infected zone, and strict containment protocols have been enforced. Two zones have been demarcated:
- Infected Zone: 0–1 km radius around the outbreak site
- Surveillance Zone: 1–10 km radius surrounding the infected area
Movement of pigs (alive or dead), wild boars, pork, feed, and farm equipment has been completely banned within and between these zones.
“The situation is being closely monitored. Regular surveys are underway in both infected and surveillance zones,” said a senior official from the District Animal Husbandry Department.
Additional District Magistrate Isha Singal has imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, effective from July 31 to September 30. Residents have been urged to strictly comply with the restrictions. “Violators will face strict legal action,” officials warned.
ASF: A Global Threat
African Swine Fever is a deadly viral disease that affects pigs but does not infect humans. With no vaccine or cure, it poses a severe risk to pig populations and the livelihoods of small-scale farmers. The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) classifies ASF as a global concern due to its economic and biodiversity impacts.
Authorities in Patiala said the situation is under control for now, but continued public cooperation will be key to preventing further spread.
