Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct. 14: The Andaman and Nicobar Administration has launched vaccination against Classical Swine Fever following a recent outbreak among pigs, while officials have ordered sanitation improvements and restrictions on pig movement around a rearing facility at Brookshabad to help contain the disease.
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services (AH&VS) has begun vaccinating pigs in South Andaman from October 12 using vaccines supplied by the Government of India under the National Animal Disease Control Programme. The department has also initiated vaccination drives in Car Nicobar and Campbell Bay.
During a joint inspection of the pig-rearing facility at Brookshabad, the Secretary of AH&VS and the Secretary of the Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Council (SVPMC) examined the locality and the sheds used to house pigs. The Director of AH&VS, senior veterinary officers, an SVPMC sanitary inspector and municipal staff also attended the inspection.
Officials found poor sanitary conditions and damaged structures at the facility. They directed the concerned personnel to improve sanitation, introduce measures to restrict pigs from moving into surrounding areas and dispose of dead pigs through deep burial.
In Car Nicobar, Assistant Commissioner (Headquarters) Asheesh Kumar formally launched the vaccination drive in the presence of captains of Tapoiming village.
In the Campbell Bay jurisdiction, the vaccination programme began in the presence of Tribal Council chairman Barnabas Manju and Tribal Welfare Officer of the Andaman Adim Janjati Vikas Samiti (AAJVS), Anujesh Rai.
The department has urged pig farmers to cooperate with veterinary officials, ensure timely vaccination and follow prescribed advisories. It has also called on farmers to adopt biosecurity measures to protect animal health and help prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
The vaccination programme, alongside sanitation measures and controls on pig movement, forms part of the administration’s immediate response to the Classical Swine Fever outbreak.
