Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Wednesday said the State Government was closely monitoring the fresh outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) and had initiated immediate containment measures to prevent the disease from spreading further. He said the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department was taking all possible steps and precautionary measures to contain the outbreak and ensure that it did not spread on a large scale, adding that while only a few cases had been reported, the Government was making every effort to keep the situation under control. The renewed outbreak has raised concerns over the livestock sector, particularly pig farming, which serves as a crucial source of livelihood for thousands of rural households in Meghalaya and across the Northeast, a region that has repeatedly battled ASF outbreaks in recent years.
The latest cases have prompted the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department to launch an extensive containment and surveillance operation, with infected and surveillance zones being notified across multiple districts. The restrictions come amid fears that any further spread of the disease could result in significant economic losses for farmers, disrupt the pork supply chain and affect one of Meghalaya’s most important livestock-based rural industries.
“Basically this has been a problem in the past also and we are monitoring the situation and we are taking immediate action on it. There are concerns and this concerns keeps happening from time to time but the department is taking all possible steps and measures to ensure that this doesn’t spread in large scale. There are few cases but we will do our best to ensure that this do not spread in a large scale,” he said.
Confirmed cases have been detected in Pynursla and Mawlai blocks of East Khasi Hills district, Mawthadraishan and Umsning blocks of West Khasi Hills district, Umsning block in Ri-Bhoi district, including the Regional Pig Breeding Farm at Kyrdemkulai, Mairang block in Eastern West Khasi Hills district, and Bhoirymbong block. The affected villages include Urksew Wahpathaw, Mawkajem, Mawlai Mawkynroh, Nongkasen, Kyrdemkulai, Lum Umpih, Mawkyrdep and Mawphanniew.
Invoking provisions of the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009, the department has declared areas within a one-kilometre radius of infected premises as infected zones, while areas extending up to ten kilometres have been designated as surveillance zones.
A complete ban has been imposed on the movement of live pigs, pig feed, pork and pork products into or out of affected areas. Pig markets, slaughterhouses and abattoirs have been ordered closed until further notice, while swill feeding using kitchen or restaurant waste has also been prohibited as part of biosecurity measures aimed at curbing transmission.
Authorities have also prohibited the removal of infected or dead pigs and contaminated materials from designated zones. Disposal of carcasses in rivers, lakes or other water bodies will attract penalties ranging from ₹2,000 to ₹5,000, while repeat offenders may face imprisonment ranging from one month to three months. All carcasses must be disposed of through deep burial with adequate lime cover in accordance with prescribed veterinary guidelines.
Farm owners have been directed to maintain strict biosecurity protocols, restrict visitor access and ensure thorough cleaning and disinfection of vehicles operating in affected areas. In surveillance zones, movement of pigs into infected areas remains prohibited, although movement within surveillance zones is permitted under close monitoring by veterinary authorities.
Veterinary teams have intensified clinical surveillance and sample collection to assess the extent of the outbreak, while the Divisional Forest Officer has been instructed to monitor wild boar populations in adjoining forest areas to prevent any potential transmission between domestic and wild pig populations. The department has urged village Dorbars, Dollois, Nokmas, municipalities and other local bodies to extend full cooperation to veterinary officials and Rapid Response Teams engaged in containment efforts. Farmers in disease-free areas outside surveillance zones have been advised to confine their animals, prevent contact with wild boars and stray animals, maintain stringent hygiene standards and immediately report any unusual illness or mortality to veterinary authorities as the State steps up efforts to contain the disease, safeguard livestock resources and protect the livelihoods of thousands of pig farmers dependent on the sector.
