Alarming Rise in African Swine Fever Prompts Pork Sale Ban in 7 Assam Districts

In a bid to control the rapid spread of African swine fever (ASF), the Assam government has imposed an immediate ban on the sale and transportation of pork in seven districts. Though the disease doesn’t affect humans, it threatens pig farming livelihoods and Assam’s pork industry.

Outbreak Forces Emergency Actions

The districts of Kamrup (Metro), Kamrup (Rural), Nalbari, Barpeta, Baksa, Udalguri, and Darrang have reported a surge in ASF cases in recent weeks. The Assam Animal Husbandry Department confirmed the outbreak after multiple tests came back positive.

Atul Bora, Assam’s Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister, stated:

“We’ve banned pork sales, transport, and slaughter in these districts. Rapid response teams are culling infected pigs to prevent further spread.”

Heavy Economic Toll on Pig Farmers

Assam produces over 30% of India’s pork, making this outbreak a major blow to farmers and meat sellers.

• Pranab Das, Nalbari farmer: “With rising feed costs and now ASF, we’ve lost everything.”
• Rina Begum, Guwahati vendor: “The sudden ban means no income for weeks.”

What Is African Swine Fever?

ASF is a highly contagious pig disease with a near-100% fatality rate. It spreads via:
✔️ Infected pigs
✔️ Contaminated feed/equipment
✔️ Human clothing/vehicles

India’s first ASF case emerged in 2020, with outbreaks in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and now Assam. Weak biosecurity and illegal pig movement worsen the crisis.

Government’s Response Plan

✅ Culling – Infected pigs within 1 km of outbreak zones
✅ Compensation – ₹4,000 per pig for affected farmers (criticized as too low)
✅ Surveillance – Checkpoints to monitor pig transport
✅ Awareness – Farmers taught symptoms and prevention

Public Health Advisory

Though ASF doesn’t infect humans, officials warn:
⚠️ Avoid pork from untrusted sources
⚠️ Buy only from licensed vendors
⚠️ Ensure proper cooking

Long-Term Solutions Needed

Experts demand:
🔹 Stricter import controls
🔹 Better farm hygiene
🔹 Stronger regulations to curb illegal pig trade

What’s Next?

The ban remains until the outbreak is contained. Assam seeks central aid to support farmers and improve prevention.

This crisis highlights India’s fragile livestock sector and the need for better disease control policies.

Stay updated with the latest developments on this outbreak.