Sri Vijaya Puram, October 27: The Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services (AH&VS), Andaman & Nicobar Administration, organised an awareness and sensitisation session on African Swine Fever (ASF) for the students of Andaman College (ANCOL) at the ANCOL Campus today. The Senior Veterinary Officer, In-charge of the Animal Husbandry Training Institute, was the resource person.
Addressing the students, the Senior Veterinary Officer explained the causes, transmission, clinical signs, prevention, control and biosecurity measures related to African Swine Fever. She said that ASF is a highly contagious viral disease of domestic pigs and wild pigs, with high mortality. There is no vaccine and no specific treatment available, and biosecurity remains the most important means of protection. She highlighted that the disease can spread through contaminated feed, including swill feeding, pork and pork products, and through the movement of people, vehicles and equipment.
The Senior Veterinary Officer emphasised that the disease does not infect humans and poses no direct risk to human health. She stressed the need for continued vigilance and strict adherence to preventive measures to protect the pig population, including the indigenous Nicobari and Andaman local pigs, and the livelihood of pig farmers. She also highlighted the role of students in spreading correct information at the grassroots level and urged them to act as ambassadors by advising family members, friends and the farming community not to feed kitchen waste or swill to pigs, to avoid bringing pork products from outside without proper checks, and to immediately report any unusual pig illness or mortality to the nearest veterinary institution.
The session was interactive, and students clarified their doubts. They were also sensitised about the importance of protecting the Islands’ local pig breeds. The programme was attended by faculty members of ANCOL and around 80 students. The Department plans to continue such awareness programmes in colleges and schools across the Islands as part of the ongoing preventive efforts, a press release from the Dept. of AH&VS said.
