ASF outbreak: Churachandpur District Magistrate imposes prohibitory measures

Following the confirmation of an ASF outbreak at the farm of Khaimuon in Kangvai village under the Sub-Division of Kangvai, District Magistrate of Churachandpur has promulgated a prohibitory order under Section 163 of BNSS, 2023. It comes into immediate effect. The notifications issued on November 13 by the Directorate of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Services declared the area as a controlled zone.
Accordingly, the order stated that all areas within a one-kilometre radius of the epicentre have been declared the Infected Zone, while villages within a ten-kilometre radius have been declared the Surveillance Zone. The restrictions have been imposed under provisions of the National Action Plan for Control, Containment and Eradication of African Swine Fever (2020) and the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009.
Within the infected zone, movement of pigs, pig feed, pork, and pork products has been completely prohibited.
The transport of animals out of the zone has been barred, and no person is allowed to move any live or dead pig suspected to be infected. Materials that might have come in contact with the infected pigs, like carcasses, bedding, and skins, are also restricted. All gatherings involving pigs, including markets, fairs, and exhibitions, are not allowed unless specifically relaxed by a competent veterinary officer for other species.
All pigs within a one-kilometre radius from the outbreak site are to be humanely culled. The District Veterinary Office has also been directed to ensure safe disposal of carcasses in collaboration with the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (Kangvai) and the Autonomous District Council, Churachandpur.
In the surveillance zone, all restrictions applicable to the infected zone, except culling, shall remain in force. Pigs in the area will be subject to intensified clinical, biological and serological surveillance, including in settlements adjoining forest areas, in consultation with the Forest Department and the Autonomous District Council.
The District Magistrate, Dharun Kumar S. (IAS), issued the order ex parte in view of urgency and public health. The order will remain valid until further orders are issued. Any breach of these provisions shall attract punishment under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.