3 weeks ago
African swine fever detected at Thrissur pig breeding unit
Some pigs in a farm in Kerala got sick with a serious pig disease called African swine fever.
This disease is very dangerous for pigs, but it is safe for people.
That means people cannot catch it from the pigs.
The officials at the farm told everyone not to worry.
To stop the disease from spreading, the government closed off the area around the farm.
Farms near the sick pigs are watched closely to make sure the disease does not jump to other pigs.
Farmers got a list of rules to keep their pigs safe.
For example, new pigs should stay alone for three weeks, and leftover food should be boiled before feeding to pigs.
Farmers must tell a vet right away if any pig gets sick or dies suddenly.
African swine fever was detected among pigs at the Animal Husbandry Department's Pig Breeding Unit in Kunnamkulam, Thrissur, Kerala.
Samples were confirmed by the National Institute for High Security Animal Diseases laboratory in Bhopal.
Officials said the disease affects only pigs and does not spread to humans or other domestic animals.
Authorities declared a 1-kilometre infected zone and a 10-kilometre surveillance zone around the affected farm, effective from August 9.
Biosecurity guidelines advise quarantining new pigs for three weeks, boiling leftover swill for 20 minutes, and reporting sudden pig deaths.
- Who
- Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Isaac Sam, District Collector Shikha Surendran, and the Animal Husbandry Department of Kerala.
- What
- African swine fever was detected among pigs at the Pig Breeding Unit in Kunnamkulam; infected and surveillance zones were declared to control spread.
- Where
- Pig Breeding Unit in Kunnamkulam, Thrissur district, Kerala, India.
- When
- Announced on August 10; disease-control restrictions took effect from August 9.
- Why
- To prevent the disease from spreading to other pig farms, following the national action plan.
Key facts
- Disease
- African swine fever (ASF)
- Location
- Pig Breeding Unit, Kunnamkulam, Thrissur, Kerala
- Confirmed by
- National Institute for High Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal
- Infected zone
- 1-kilometre radius around affected farm
- Surveillance zone
- 10-kilometre radius
- Restrictions effective
- August 9
- Risk to humans
- None; affects only pigs
- Swill feeding advice
- Boil leftover food for at least 20 minutes before feeding
Quotes
Animal Husbandry Department
Official statement, Kerala Animal Husbandry Department
“Concealing the disease, selling off pigs suspected of being infected, or slaughtering them could lead to widespread disease transmission.”
theprint.in
“Therefore, the public need not be concerned.”
theprint.in
Dr. Isaac Sam
Chief Veterinary Officer, Kerala
“The disease occurs only in pigs and does not spread to humans or other domestic animals.”
theprint.in



