Swine fever: Pig culling starts in Kerala's Wayanad

Wayanad: In Kerala's Wayanad, culling of pigs was started on Sunday to prevent the spread of African swine fever after it was reported here, PTI reported.

However, a farmer had opposed the procedure, which is to be completed in a week.

The disease was detected in Wayanad's Mananthavady, and the sub-collector there informed that the farmer and others were convinced to cooperate with the culling after showing them the test reports received from the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases in Bhopal.

She also said that the farmer, who owns 360 pigs, was informed that the culling process is initiated as per the national protocol to prevent the spread of the disease to other areas or farms. The sub-collector, who coordinates the operation, added that the farmer agreed to cooperate. Also, the compensation for the farmers will be expedited soon, she said.

The sub-collector informed that pigs from two farms in Mananthavady tested positive for the disease, and all the animals on one farm died of African Swine fever.

Earlier on Sunday, the farmer in question had told a TV channel that he didn't believe that animals on his farm were infected since the swine which tested positive did not look sick. He demanded that the government should wait a few more days and decide on culling.

Farmers' association in Wayanad also released a similar opinion. It added that a representation had been made to the authorities in this regard.

On Friday, Kerala Minister for Animal Husbandry J Chinchu Rani confirmed the disease in the state and directed pig farms to strictly implement the biosecurity and waste disposal mechanism as part of the swine fever action plan. The confirmation came after samples sent to Bhopal for testing came positive.

Following this, the state government extended the ban on inter-state sale and transportation of pigs and pork-related products.

Earlier in July, Kerala had tightened biosecurity measures after the alert from the Centre that African swine fever had been reported in Bihar and a few northeastern states. The viral disease is highly contagious and fatal for domestic pigs.

First detected in Kenya in 1921, it had killed settlers' pigs. Contact with warthogs was proven key in disease transmission.