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Surveillance, vaccination needed to check swine fever

By Correspondent

KAZIRANGA, May 2 - Concern has been raised in many scientific deliberations over the recovery of many carcasses of pigs near the bank of rivers in some parts of Assam. It has been suspected that the cause of death of so many pigs within a short period of time might have been due to the infection caused by African Swine Fever.

Speaking exclusively to this correspondent, Dr Kushal Sharma , a senior Professor of Veterinary College of Khanapara, Guwahati said that it was very important to keep the surveillance focus on the fringe areas and villages near any Protected Areas (PA) and other national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in the State to check any possible infection of swine fever. He said that if any domestic animal including pigs gets infected with swine fever, then there are chances of transmission of this infection from domestic to wild animals through contact sources.

Dr Sharma suggested that comprehensive vaccination of domestic animals including pigs should be done in fringe areas and other such villages to check any possible infection of swine fever and its transmission to wild animals.

He informed that definitely the government would take a positive step to check infection of swine fever, which is a viral disease.

Director of Kaziranga National Park cum Tiger Reserve P Shiva Kumar informed that some carcasses of pigs had been recovered in Gohpur side and necessary action had been initiated to protect wild animals of Kaziranga National Park. He informed that necessary measures were being put into place including logistic matters for the monsoons season and subsequent floods in Kaziranga. He said steps had been taken to ensure that corridors of wild animals in and around Kaziranga National Park remain free for smooth movement of wild animals including rhinos during floods in Kaziranga National Park.

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