Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct. 13: An outbreak of Classical Swine Fever (CSF) in Car Nicobar and reported pig deaths in parts of the Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Council (SVPMC) area have prompted a ban on the movement of live pigs, pork and pork products across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, while authorities have begun vaccinating susceptible animals after receiving 20,000 emergency doses.
The disease was confirmed in the first week of October, according to the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services. The restrictions cover live pigs, pork and pork by-products, including frozen meat, and will remain in force until further orders. The ban applies to pig owners, farmers, traders, transporters and other stakeholders.
The outbreak threatens livestock that supports both livelihoods and community traditions. Pigs hold particular importance for tribal communities in the Nicobar Islands and provide a vital source of income for farmers in North and Middle Andaman and South Andaman. Livestock losses can affect the economic security of poor and marginal farmers as well as customary practices.
Following reports of the outbreak, a senior-level officer from the Government of India visited the islands and assessed the situation. The officer recommended immediate vaccination of surviving pigs. The Centre subsequently arranged an emergency consignment of 20,000 vaccine doses under the National Animal Disease Control Programme, which arrived on October 12.
The department has drawn up a vaccination plan for susceptible pigs in South Andaman and Nicobar districts, with doses to be distributed to veterinary institutions in both districts. The campaign began on October 12 at Veterinary Hospitals in Junglighat and Garacharma, covering municipal wards and villages in Garacharma. Vaccination has also started at a piggery farm in the Sippighat area of Prothrapur tehsil.
The department has issued a biosecurity advisory and urged pig owners and farmers to adopt strict preventive measures at their rearing premises. They must report suspected CSF cases immediately to the nearest veterinary institution.
With no specific treatment available for the disease, vaccination remains the stated method of prevention. Details of the vaccination campaign will be uploaded to the Bharat Pashudhan portal under the Centre’s National Digital Livestock Mission.
