Meghalaya government has stopped transportation of pigs from other states following reports of swine fever from various parts of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
The order has been issued two days after Assam government announced a ban on distribution and sale of pork meat following deaths of a large number of pigs in many districts in the state.
The order, issued on Monday by Dr. Shakil P Ahammed, principal secretary to Meghalaya’s animal husbandry & veterinary department, said: “Transportation of pigs from other states into Meghalaya hereby stopped until further order.”
Also read: Distribution and sale of pork banned in Assam
The order has been issued in view of “unusual mortality of pigs in the districts of Dhemaji, North Lakhimpur, Biswanath, Dibrugarh, Sivasagar and Jorhat of Assam and in the districts of West Kameng, Papum-pare, Lower Siang, Upper Siang, East Siang, Lohit, Lepa-Rada, Namsai and Changlang of Arunachal Pradesh”.
The order also said: “All government pig farms, private pig farms and pig farmers should take adequate measures for strict hygiene and bio-security such as disinfection of the farms, equipments, etc. and restricting entry of any outside person into pig farms.”
Also read: Assam: Selling of pig and pork-meat banned in Dhemaji
Detailed advisories can be downloaded from the website http://megahvigov.in, said the order.
Through the order, animal husbandry & veterinary department has advised the people of Meghalaya to consume pork only after cooking adequately (above 70°C for at least 20 minutes).
“Signs of high fever in pigs and any abnormal mortality of pigs should be brought to the notice of district AH & veterinary officer/sub-divisional AH & veterinary officer,” said the order.
People have also been asked to call at the mobile numbers 9863316850/9436119910/8414953455 for any information.