LAKHIMPUR: In view of the recent outbreak of the African Swine Fever at Lamu Gaon of Lakhimpur district, the district administration has initiated precautionary measures to contain the future contagion of the highly infectious diseases.
In this connection, in pursuance of Govt. Letter No. AHC 107/NERDDL/ASF/Result/Vol- 11/2022-23/173, Dated: 02/09/2023 received from the Deputy Director, Animal Health centre/NERDDL, Khanapara, Guwahati-22, and by exercising the power conferred under The Prevention & Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009, District Magistrate-cum-District Commissioner Sumit Sattawan has declared the Lamu Gaon as the ‘epicentre’ of African Swine Fever (ASF) disease.
Moreover, the District Magistrate, Lakhimpur, by exercising the power conferred upon him U/S 144 CrPC, has also promulgated a prohibitory order vide No. MJ-43/19/2023-MAG-LKPR/DFA/105797 by restricting some activities in and around the infected zone/village, namely, from Kadam Revenue Circle Office area (East) to Gonesh Mandir, Hatilung (West) and from Lakhimpur Veterinary Science College Joyhing (North) to Bodhakora Mohaijan (South), which are around the epicentre of Lamu gaon under Lakhimpur Development block of the district
The order has prohibited taking out live pig or pig feed or pork or pork-products the infected zone. However, carriage of animals (pigs) by roadways or railways through the declared infected zone is allowed, provided that the animal is not unloaded within the zone till the issuance of sanitization certificate by the competent veterinary authority. Moreover, no person is allowed to take out any pig alive or dead which is infected ornsuspected to be infected from African Swine Fever (ASF). No person is allowed to carry any pig feed or breeding materials or other materials like carcass, skin or other parts or products of such animals which has come in contact with any animal infected or suspected to be infected from ASF.
The order has also restricted the organization or institution from holding any animal market, animal fair, animal exhibition and carry on any activity which involves grouping or gathering of pigs within the zone. Provided that the competent Veterinary Officer may suo moto or on application made to him on this behalf, relax the provision in relation to other species of animals other than pigs, if he is satisfied that in the public interest it is necessary to accord such relaxation.
According to the same order, the Chief Veterinary Officer or Competent Officer, if he thinks fit that a pig which is infected with a African Swine Fever and euthanasia has to be resorted to, for preventing the spread of the disease to other pigs of the area, can issue direction in writing for euthanasia of the animal in the infected zone and then the carcass concerned will have to be disposed of by adopting any manner to protect the public health and hygiene. The order has directed all municipal, panchayat or village officials and all official of the Panchayat & Rural Department, Dairy Development Department, Revenue Department and Agriculture Department to assist the veterinary officer and the veterinarian in discharge of their duties or in the exercise of their powers under the Act concerned. Whoever places or causes or permits to be placed in any river, lake, canal or any other water body, the carcass or any part of the carcass of any animal which at the time of death was known to be infected, will be guilty of an offence and punishable by imprisonment or fine or both. Strict compliances to bio-security measures must be maintained during culling operations in the infected zones by the veterinary officer of the district. He must mandatorily ensure that any mortality in the pigs will be recorded with specific details and all such carcasses/ dead animals will be disposed off by deep burial with compliance to specific bio-security norms without fail.
The order has come into force in the stipulated area with immediate effect and will remain in force until further order. Any violation of this order will be punishable U/S 188 IPC.
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