The district administration in Dibrugarh has taken urgent action to combat the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) by officially declaring three new epicentres of the disease. This decisive move comes after fresh detections of the contagious animal illness were confirmed in both Moran and Tingkhong revenue circles.
Immediate Restrictions Imposed Across District
In an official order issued on Thursday, Additional District Magistrate Monika Borah exercised special powers granted by the Disaster Management Act, 2005. The administration has specifically designated farm areas belonging to Atul Dihingia in Baghtoli Pathar located in Khowang block, along with farms operated by Nilakanta Gogoi and Mrinal Jyoti Gogoi in Tingkhong block as the new confirmed epicentres of African Swine Fever.
The directive establishes clearly defined control zones around each outbreak location. Infected Zones covering a 1-kilometer radius around each epicentre and larger Surveillance Zones extending 10 kilometers from the outbreak sites have been formally declared. These zones affect numerous villages across both revenue circles as part of the containment strategy.
Complete Ban on Pig Movement and Pork Trade
Explaining the necessity for these stringent measures, Additional District Magistrate Monika Borah stated in the order: "I am satisfied that it is imperative to take urgent measures to prevent, control and eradicate the disease in the interest of public health and safety of livestock." The order was formally issued under provisions of the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009.
The restrictions now in effect comprehensively prohibit:
- Movement of live pigs in and out of infected zones
- Transport of pig feed across zone boundaries
- Trade of pork and pork products from affected areas
- Unauthorized roadside pork selling across the entire district
The order explicitly states that "No person is allowed to take out any pig, alive or dead, which is infected or suspected to be infected from African Swine Fever." Violations of these restrictions could result in imprisonment, substantial fines, or both according to the legal provisions. All police stations in the district have received instructions to maintain strict vigilance and enforce these regulations.
Emergency Measures and Long-term Strategy
The administration has authorized district veterinary officers to order the euthanasia of infected animals when necessary to prevent further disease spread. Strict biosecurity protocols must be followed during any culling operations conducted under this authorization.
Additionally, the directive mandates that all pig carcasses must be disposed of through deep burial procedures following specific biosecurity norms to prevent environmental contamination.
Animal markets, fairs, and exhibitions involving pigs are now completely prohibited within the designated infected zones. However, veterinary officers may grant limited exemptions for other animal species if deemed necessary for public interest.
Multiple government departments have been mobilized to support the containment effort. Officials from the zilla parishad, municipal corporation, and all municipal boards have been directed to enhance public awareness campaigns and ensure full compliance with the containment measures. The forest department will provide crucial assistance through intensified surveillance of domestic pig populations located near forest areas.
These comprehensive restrictions will remain in force until further official notice as authorities continue working to contain the highly contagious viral disease affecting local swine populations.
