Kochi: Swift response has been triggered across Kerala’s Ernakulam district after African Swine Fever (ASF) was confirmed at a pig farm in the Malayattoor-Neeleswaram panchayat. The outbreak has prompted aggressive containment measures including targeted culling, travel restrictions and a temporary halt to pork trade from the affected zone.
District officials identified the virus at the KEA Pig Farm located in Ward 2 of the panchayat. In a swift move, District Collector NSK Umesh invoked emergency biosecurity protocols under the Centre’s action plan, declaring a 1-kilometre radius around the farm as an infected zone, and a 10-kilometre radius as an observation buffer.
Authorities have ordered the immediate culling of all pigs in the infected perimeter. Simultaneously, the transport and sale of pork, fodder, and pigs into or out of the affected zone have been suspended. Meat shops operating within the declared area have been instructed to close until further notice, disrupting local pork supply and raising concerns among small-scale vendors and piggery owners.
The African Swine Fever virus does not affect humans, but it is highly lethal to pigs and has severe economic implications for India’s pork sector, particularly smallholder farms. The virus spreads through direct contact with infected animals, contaminated feed, or improper handling of pig waste—making containment a top priority.
Officials from the Animal Husbandry Department have been tasked with tracing animal movement linked to the infected farm over the past two months. An inquiry report has been ordered to determine whether pigs were transported from the site, which could elevate the threat level regionally if cross-contamination is suspected.
The outbreak underscores a growing need for robust disease surveillance and early-warning systems, especially in peri-urban and agrarian zones where biosecurity compliance remains inconsistent. Experts are urging for the adoption of standardised waste management practices, better fencing, and training for farmers on identifying early symptoms of the virus to avoid cascading losses.
While ASF outbreaks have been recorded previously in parts of India, the return of the virus in Ernakulam presents a challenge for Kerala’s food security framework. The region is witnessing increasing tensions between disease containment and livelihood resilience, especially in communities dependent on small-scale livestock farming.
The district’s proactive measures may serve as a test case for coordinated biosecurity responses, highlighting the importance of preparedness as India works toward strengthening its agri-livestock systems with an emphasis on safety, sustainability, and equitable development.
