Government of Kerala, India, plans to ban pig transport to contain threat of African swine fever

With African swine fever (ASF) spreading rapidly, the government is considering a complete ban on pork transport in the Indian state. According to the livestock department, the disease has been confirmed in six districts. More than 2,000 hogs have been slaughtered through Saturday and the number is expected to increase. As the disease is highly contagious, causing 100% mortality, the department has decided to impose strict restrictions in infected districts. “We have banned the transport of pigs from the border until January 16, 2023, due to the rapid spread of ASF. However, as the disease spreads through contacts, we plan to impose restrictions on moving hogs within the state. Mass culling is underway on farms located within a square kilometer around the places where the disease has been confirmed. We put staff at checkpoints to stop the illegal smuggling of pigs from out of state,” said Livestock Minister J Chinchu Rani. According to the deputy director of the livestock ...