The Tinsukia district administration has imposed stringent restrictions across Doomdooma Co-District following the detection of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Ouguri village under Rupai Siding, raising concerns over the possible spread of the highly contagious disease among pigs.
District Commissioner and District Magistrate Sumit Sattawan issued an order under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, declaring Ouguri village as the epicentre of the outbreak.
As part of containment measures, the area within a one-kilometre radius of the affected village has been designated as an infected zone, while areas falling within a 10-kilometre radius have been placed under surveillance to monitor the situation closely.
To contain the outbreak, the administration has launched a pig culling operation in the infected zone from June 9 to June 11. The exercise is being conducted in accordance with the National Action Plan for Control, Containment and Eradication of African Swine Fever under the supervision of officials from the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department.
Authorities have also imposed a 30-day ban on the sale, transportation and trade of pigs, pork and pork-related products throughout Doomdooma Co-District. All pork shops have been directed to remain closed during this period.
In addition, the transportation of pigs and pork products to neighbouring districts and the neighbouring state of Arunachal Pradesh has been prohibited until further orders.
Officials clarified that African Swine Fever does not affect humans. However, it is a highly infectious and often fatal viral disease that affects pigs and can cause severe economic losses to farmers and the livestock sector.
The district administration has appealed to residents not to panic and to cooperate fully with disease-control measures. It has warned that any violation of the restrictions will invite legal action under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
For assistance or information related to the outbreak, residents may contact the Animal Husbandry Department helpline at 1962 or the District Control Room at 0374-2331000.
