Vigilance raised in DK as African Swine Fever detected in Kerala

Mangaluru: Vigilance and surveillance measures in Dakshina Kannada district have been raised following the detection of the African Swine Fever in neighbouring Kerala.

African Swine Fever (ASF) is a viral disease that infects domestic pigs and wild boars. It is highly infectious and causes nearly 100 percent fatality in pigs, causing huge losses to farmers. There is no specific treatment or vaccine for the disease. Therefore, domestic pigs within a radius of 1-kilometer area are culled as a precaution.

Fortunately, African Swine Fever has not been detected in Dakshina Kannada so far this year. Therefore, there is no need for pig farmers or the public to panic, said an official of the Animal Husbandry Department.

Vigilance at checkposts

Deputy Director of the Animal Husbandry Department Dr. Arun Kumar Shetty said that strict vigil is being kept on the border checkposts of the state, including Talapadi, and Saradka.

“No restrictions have been imposed on the pork trade at the moment. Meat from Dakshina Kannada is mostly transported to kerala. So, vehicles returning from Kerala are being disinfected before entering Karnataka. We are also monitoring the pork consignments for any contamination,” he said.

Departmental Veterinary Officers have been instructed to visit all the pig farms under their jurisdiction and advise the pig farmers, he added.

Not transmitted to humans

Dakshina Kannada District Health Officer Dr. Kishore Kumar told “Udayavani” that allayed any fears of African Swine Fever infecting humans.  “African Swine Fever appears only in pigs and is not transmitted to humans. There have been no cases of African Swine Fever in humans. there is no need to panic,” he said.

Pig farmers need to follow the guidelines and precautions suggested by the Animal Husbandry Department to prevent the spread of the disease in domestic pigs, he added.