Sri Vijaya Puram, October 27: The Andaman and Nicobar Administration has intensified efforts to contain African swine fever (ASF) through farmer awareness programmes, farm-level biosecurity measures and sanitisation of passengers and luggage at island transport points, while urging pig owners to comply with restrictions on the movement of pigs, pork and pork products.
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services (AH&VS) is conducting awareness meetings, door-to-door campaigns and sanitisation activities across the islands to prevent the spread of the highly contagious viral disease affecting pigs.
ASF does not infect humans and poses no direct risk to human health. With no vaccine or specific treatment available, the department has emphasised farm hygiene, movement controls and early reporting of suspected cases as key measures to contain the disease.
At R.K. Pur in Little Andaman, officials held an awareness meeting at the Panchayat Hall with pig farmers, Pashu Sakhis, self-help group members and staff. Representatives of the Health Department and the Keya Foundation NGO also attended. Another camp at the Range Office in Hut Bay explained the disease, its transmission and preventive measures, including precautions when dealing with Andaman wild pigs. The session drew 50 participants, including Hut Bay Range staff and personnel from the AH&VS unit.
The department also held an awareness programme at GSSS Bengali on Teressa Island on October 24. Door-to-door campaigns covered Diglipur, R.K. Gram and Subashgram, while sanitisation work took place at R.K. Pur.
On October 26, an awareness programme at Chota Enaka drew 25 participants in the presence of the First Captain. A separate session at the Tsunami Shelter in Ongi Tikery reached 22 people, mainly higher secondary students, along with local pig farmers and panchayati raj institution members. Officials decided to continue awareness activities in the area.
Authorities have also sanitised passengers and luggage arriving on MV Nalanda and MV Sentinel on October 25, and on MV Ranichanga and MV Kalighat on October 26. At Chowra jetty, officials sanitised the hands and feet of departing passengers. At Campbell Bay, they sanitised the luggage and passengers of helicopter arrivals and departures on October 26.
The department has displayed ASF awareness posters at several panchayat offices and continues surveillance and biosecurity activities across the islands.
It has advised pig owners to keep animals confined, maintain hygiene, restrict unnecessary visitors and immediately report unusual illness or deaths among pigs. Compliance with the ban on moving pigs, pork and pork products remains essential to the containment effort.
