Panic has struck Mudpar village in Chhattisgarh’s Durg district due to an outbreak of African Swine Fever, resulting in the deaths of over 250 pigs. An additional 82 pigs were culled to prevent further spread of the highly contagious disease. The crisis unfolded when sudden pig deaths were observed at a private pig farm in the village on April 1.
Officials from the district Veterinary Department, equipped with full protective gear, swiftly responded to the situation by conducting inspections and collecting samples. These samples were then sent to the ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases in Bhopal for testing. Subsequent results confirmed the presence of the African Swine Fever virus in all samples.
Following the confirmation, as per the Government of India’s Standard Operating Procedures, the remaining 82 pigs were euthanised based on expert advice. The carcasses, including those naturally deceased and culled, were appropriately disposed of by burial in deep pits with the assistance of a JCB excavator. The district collector has marked a one-kilometre radius around the affected farm as an “Infected Zone” and a ten-kilometre radius as a “Surveillance Zone.”
Authorities have sealed the farm premises as part of containment measures. An investigation is underway to trace the origin of the infected pigs, including their procurement details and transportation history. While African Swine Fever poses no threat to human health, precautions have been advised, urging the public to avoid consuming meat from infected or exposed pigs.
The disease, with a mortality rate close to 100% in affected animals, solely impacts domestic and wild pigs, not humans. Despite the absence of a cure or vaccine globally, efforts are being made to prevent further transmission. Vigilance in the surveillance zone is being maintained by the district Veterinary Department and administration to curb any potential spread, with pig farmers in the vicinity urged to report any unusual pig deaths promptly.
