Following the death of over 100 pigs due to African Swine flu in Lucknow, the District Magistrate on July 19, imposed a ban on the sale and purchase of pork and related products in Lucknow. As per the notice released by District Magistrate, Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) and the animal husbandry department have been directed to take steps to prevent the spread of this disease among pigs.
Awareness campaigns and more to be organised by LMC
The ban was imposed after the confirmation of death due to African swine fever by the National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases, Anand Nagar (ICAR-NIHSAD) Bhopal on July 19. As per the reports, intensive cleaning, disinfection and sanitisation drives will be conducted regularly in the affected areas.
Additionally, the movement of pigs in the disease-affected areas will also be restricted, leading to the closure of any type of pig market in the city. Other than this, to increase awareness among the pig farmer community and in the meat market, LMC has been tasked to conduct awareness drives about African swine fever.
Health Department releases emergency help line
The order released by the district health department has also advised the district animal husbandry department to organise heath checkup camps for the treatment and diagnosis of pigs.
In addition to the health checkup camps, the authorities have also released emergency help line numbers. Any type of illness among pigs and in case of death of a pig due to unknown reasons can be reported directly to Dr. Atul Kumar Awasthi, Nodal Officer, Animal Husbandry Department, Lucknow at 9412188325.
Reportedly, teams of the animal husbandry department and LMC will remain in contact with pig farmers and will help in disinfecting and cleaning areas where pigs are kept.
In case of emergency, here’s a contact list to consider
As per the reports, the transmission rate of African swine flu from pigs to humans is considerably low. However, some studies suggest that in rare cases, symptoms like fever and nausea can appear after consumption of infected meat. And in case of any such symptoms, one can contact the State Health Department at 0522-2622080.
Animal Husbandry control room: 9450195814 and 9415184493
LMC control room: 9151055671, 9151055672 and 9151055673
