Minister-incharge-of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Alexander Laloo Hek on Thursday appealed to the public not to panic at present but to remain alert.
Talking to Reporters, the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Minister said, “I appeal to the people not to panic, we have to be alert. There is no question to be panic at present.”
Asked, the Minister “Officers of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary are following up tests in the other adjoining areas also.”
“After the proper test report was received, immediately I called the Veterinary secretary and also the Director to discuss the next plan,” Hek said.
The villages of Dalu and Asiragre under Dalu Block in West Garo Hills District have been declared as the ‘epicenters’ of African Swine Fever (ASF) disease.
This is based on a letter from the North Eastern Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (NERDDL), Guwahati, which confirms the outbreak of African Swine Fever in Meghalaya.
As per the National Action Plan for control, containment and eradication of African Swine Fever published by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, the restrictions as mentioned hereunder are applicable with immediate effect in the villages under 1 (one) kilometre radius surrounding infected premises (epicentre of disease) designated as “Infected Zone” and in all villages falling under 10 KM radius surrounding infected premises (epicentre of disease) designated as “Surveillance Zone”.
During this a restriction in the Infected Zone, restrictions in the Surveillance zone, and Preventive measures in the Free Zone (area outside the surveillance zone).
Interestingly, Tripura has imposed a ban on import of pigs from other states following the rise in swine flu cases in different parts of the country.