A fresh case of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Nashik has prompted authorities in Maharashtra to issue an alert and launch strict containment measures. The infected location has been sealed off as a containment zone immediately after the virus was confirmed in pigs, officials from the District Animal Husbandry Department said.
The outbreak came to light after an NGO reported the death of nine pigs kept within the Nashik Municipal Corporation limits. Their samples were sent to Konkan for laboratory testing, and the results confirmed the presence of the ASF virus. Following the confirmation, the district administration moved swiftly, issuing an official advisory urging residents to remain cautious.
Officials have marked a one-kilometre radius around the site as an infected zone, while an additional three-kilometre area has been placed under surveillance. A joint inspection team visited the location on November 21, but no live pigs were found. As a precaution, the surrounding locality has been fully sanitised, and authorities have ordered that no pigs be allowed in the area for the next three months.
Teams attempted to collect samples from the one-kilometre zone but found no pigs in nearby households or shelters. Authorities stressed the importance of immediately reporting any sick, dead, or suspected pigs. Local ward officials have also been directed to stay alert and notify the Animal Husbandry Department if they find any carcasses so they can be tested for the virus.
African Swine Fever is a highly infectious disease that spreads quickly among both domestic pigs and wild boars, often resulting in nearly 100% mortality. Experts clarified that the virus does not pose any danger to humans, but it can survive on clothing, footwear, vehicle tyres, and various surfaces, making strict hygiene and surveillance essential to prevent further spread.
