African Swine Fever detected in Lakhimpur, fourth dist in Upper Assam to report outbreak

Dibrugarh: African Swine Fever (ASF) has been confirmed in Lakhimpur district, the fourth district in upper Assam to report an outbreak after Tinsukia, Dibrugarh and Charaideo.District magistrate Pronab Jit Kakoty on Friday issued a prohibitory order under Section 163 of the BNSS with immediate effect.The order follows confirmation of ASF cases at two locations under North Lakhimpur Development Block — the premises of Partha Pratim Borgohain at Dhakuakhia Chiringchuk and Hemen Phukan at Sonari Chiringchuk. Both sites have been declared as the ‘epicentre’ of the outbreak.According to the order, all villages within a 1-km radius of the epicentre have been declared an ‘infected zone’, while areas within a 10-km radius have been marked as a ‘surveillance zone’. The movement of live pigs, pig feed, pork and pork products into or out of these zones has been prohibited until further notice, officials said.The order bars the transport of pigs by road or rail through the infected zone and prohibits removal of any pig, alive or dead, suspected of infection. It also bans animal markets, fairs or exhibitions involving pigs anywhere in the district. Veterinary officers have been empowered to order euthanasia of infected animals, with carcasses to be disposed of through deep burial following bio-security protocols.All police stations in the district have been directed to maintain vigilance against unauthorised roadside pork sales. Violators will face action under the relevant provisions of law.The outbreak in Lakhimpur comes weeks after ASF was first detected in upper Assam, with Tinsukia reporting the region’s first case in late May, followed by Dibrugarh on May 30 and Charaideo on June 13. In Dibrugarh, 83 villages were placed under infected and surveillance zones after the disease was traced to Romai Kordoibum village.Officials said ASF is a highly contagious and often fatal viral disease with no approved vaccine. It does not pose a threat to human health but causes significant economic losses to pig farmers, making culling and containment the only available response.With four districts in upper Assam now affected within about five weeks, authorities have appealed to farmers and traders to remain vigilant, report suspicious pig deaths immediately and cooperate fully with containment measures to prevent further spread.