Udupi: Authorities have stepped up containment measures in Kundapur taluk after African Swine Fever (ASF) was confirmed in Udupi district following the deaths of wild boars and a domestic pig.
The infection was confirmed on Friday after laboratory tests were conducted on samples collected from three wild boars and a domestic pig that died in forest-bordering villages of Kundapur and Byndoor taluks.
Pig farm shut for 90 days
Dr MC Reddappa, Deputy Director of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department, Udupi, said two wild boars were initially found dead within Haklady gram panchayat limits in Kundapur.
Officials from the Animal Husbandry and Forest departments conducted post-mortems and collected organ samples for testing, leading to confirmation of the infection.
Authorities have declared a 1-km radius around the affected pig farm an infected zone. The remaining pigs at the farm will be culled using electric stunners, while the farm will remain closed for 90 days.
The owner will be compensated for the animals culled as part of the containment measures.
Movement of pigs and pork banned
A 10-km surveillance zone has also been notified, with weekly sampling of pigs planned to monitor the situation.
The transportation of live pigs and pork products has been prohibited from both the infected and surveillance zones.
A special monitoring team headed by the Kundapur Taluk Veterinary Officer has been formed to enforce the restrictions and prevent further spread of the disease.
First wild boar detection in Karnataka
Karnataka had previously reported an ASF outbreak at a pig farm in Belle, Kaup taluk, in 2023. However, officials said this is the first confirmed detection of ASF in wild boars in the State.
The latest development has prompted increased surveillance in forest-bordering areas of Udupi district as authorities work to contain the highly contagious viral disease.