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Over 2,800 pigs die due to African swine fever in Chitwan; farmers report Rs 62 million loss

Pigsty Pig farm palpa
African swine fever
File: A pig farm in Palpa

Chitwan, February 27

Over 2,800 pigs have died in the Chitwan district due to African swine fever, incurring a loss of over Rs 62 million, says the Veterinary Hospital and Livestock Services Expert Centre, Bharatpur.

The fever has spread in four local units, namely Bharatpur, Ratnanagar, Khairahani and Ichhakamana.

At least 2,873 pigs in 12 pig farms died following the outbreak, says Dr Prabhat Neupane, information officer for the centre. Of the dead pigs, 1,916 are adults and 957 piglets, he says.

The contagious viral disease spreads in domestic pigs and boars. Its mortality rate can reach 100 per cent.

Having been detected also eight months ago, African swine fever was reportedly confirmed on May 16, 2022. The disease is transmitted due to direct contact between infected pigs, from the contaminated saliva, droppings, blood, flesh and feed of the diseased pig, while transporting and moving the sick pigs and use of the clothes, shoes and slippers worn by the person who has entered the pigsty, among other means, information officer Neupane says.

The infected pigs do not eat the feed, vomit, show signs of restlessness and give stillbirths.

The office has advised the adoption of biosafety measures in the pigsties and keeping any new pig bought from other herds in quarantine for 21 days before mixing it up with the farm herd for the prevention of African swine fever. It also advised disinfecting the pigsties and farms and their surroundings by spraying lime, phenyl, formalin, and bleaching powder.

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