Sikkim Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services department has banned the entry of swine and pork into the State following a case of Porcine Reproductive Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), a viral disease that affects domestic pigs, in the State.
The AH&VS department issued an advisory on Wednesday prohibiting the entry of swine and pork to curb the spread of PRRS.
A case of PRRS was reported from Burtuk, East Sikkim. The RT-PCR test at National Institute of High Security Animal Disease (NIHSAD), Bhopal confirmed the infection.
In compliance to the advisory issued by Animal Husbandry Commissioner, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India and as per the provisions under Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009.
The AH&VS department has imposed the following biosecurity and preventive measures to prevent any possible incidents and spread of virus in other areas in the State:
- Temporary prohibition in entry of live pig and pork from outside the State with immediate effect till further notice
- Prohibition of live pig markets located within 10-km radius of the epi-centre of infection, i.e. Burtuk village, and prohibition of trade of live pigs, participation in shows and fairs immediately upon confirmation of the disease in any areas in Sikkim
Sikkim AH&VS Issues Standard Operating Procedure
“The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India has issued an advisory to Government of Sikkim to take biosecurity and other preventive measures.
Accordingly, the State Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services department is taking all biosecurity and preventive measures as per the advisory and as per the technical requirements,” states a AH&VS release.
The department has also issued Standard Operating Procedure for control and management of the disease, including collection of biological samples for testing of PRRS and collection of information on PRRS, which is to be adopted by field veterinarians and piggery farm managers.
Likewise, the department has advised farmers to follow the movement restrictions, containment and other measures prescribed by the veterinarians strictly and to burn or bury dead animals, separate sick and healthy animals, provide animals with appropriate medications.
There shall be no movement and selling of pigs and transportation of equipment and other materials from the farm suspicious or confirmed with this disease, the department added.
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