Central Government issues advisory against African Swine Flu

Pashu Sandesh, 13th June 2019

Central Government's Department of Animal Husbandry on 10th June issued an Advisory to the States on the outbreaks of African Swine Flu(ASF) which has affected several South East Asian Countries most notably China and Vietnam.

Since ASF although not contagious to Human and other Animals, is a highly contagious disease with the potential to wipe out the entire Livestock, the Government has advised the Bordering States with the affected countries to remain vigilant and avoid any import of meat products with possible contamination. Border States are also advised to sensitise the farmers against the dangers of ASF.

Further, in order to prevent the introduction of ASF into the country, the advisory to the States also contains the following instructions:

• Intensive physical surveillance and application of appropriate biosecurity measures to prevent the ingress of the African Swine Fever virus into the country

• Strengthen border vigilance activities such as strict enforcement of bio-security and quarantine at all entry points into the country. Inspection and quarantine of all live pigs and pork products entering the country must be ensured. However, regulation of the movement of live pigs and pork products must be according to the extant OIE Terrestrial Code

• Enhance awareness among all pig farmers and other stakeholders (e.g., anyone involved in the pig sector, traders, distributors, hunters, butchers etc.) and private veterinarians of the impact of ASF. Also, enhance on-farm biosecurity and understand the clinical presentation of the disease. Due to the clinical similarity with other swine diseases, it is imperative that passive clinical surveillance always needs laboratory confirmation for the disease.

• Increase passive surveillance and immediate reporting to the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) of suspected cases, especially high mortality events that may occur.

• Facilitate submission of samples from suspected cases to a reference laboratory (i.e.NIHSAD, Bhopal) for an appropriate and prompt diagnostic confirmation.

• Swill feeding practices, both from the domestic kitchens and from the restaurant kitchen, are considered to be one of the major risks for the introduction and spread of the virus. Hence, these should be discouraged

• Training of the veterinary staff, clinical veterinarians and veterinary paraprofessionals, working in the pig sector on ASF disease detection, surveillance and control measures as well as in extension

Advisory in case of an outbreak emphasised on strict bio-security and quarantine, animal movement control, culling and compensation.