Golaghat (Assam), 26 May (HS): The sixth veterinary branch of the State Veterinary Hospital in Kohora has issued a high alert in view of the possible threat of African swine fever in Kaziranga National Park. This step has been taken especially to protect wild boars and domestic pigs raised in the surrounding rural areas.

Veterinary doctor Dr. Biswajit Barua said on Monday that African swine fever is a very fatal disease, for which no vaccine is available yet. The mortality rate of pigs infected with this disease is almost 100% and they can die within 24 to 48 hours of infection.

Although no case of this has been reported in Kaziranga yet, the recent outbreak in Barpeta district has raised concerns. Dr Barua said that wild boars often roam in villages adjacent to the park and come in contact with domestic pigs, increasing the risk of infection.

Livestock owners have been advised to keep their pigs in enclosures and not feed them fodder bought from outside, as the virus can spread through various means. Earlier, the park administration had dug trenches on the park boundary to prevent contact between wild and domestic boars.

The outbreak of ASF can pose a threat not only to domestic pigs but also to the biodiversity of Kaziranga. Experts believe that the park administration should take necessary steps while being vigilant.

The Veterinary Department and the Forest Department are jointly running awareness campaigns to prevent the spread of ASF and appealing for cooperation from local communities.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash