Kathmandu: The African swine fever outbreak in pigs in three different wards of Hetauda Sub-municipal Corporation has been brought under control.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the containment was achieved after the Livestock Services Office in Hetauda implemented pest control measures, sanitation, stricter transportation regulations for pigs from the affected areas, and other awareness-raising programs. Dr. Brajkishore Thakur, Chief of the Office, confirmed the steps taken to control the outbreak.
The outbreak had resulted in the deaths of more than 200 pigs in ward numbers 1, 11, and 17 of the Sub-metropolis over the past four months. To further safeguard livestock, the Livestock Services Office has vaccinated 300,000 sheep and goats with the PPR vaccine. This vaccination program, which commenced in January, was conducted in all 10 municipalities of Makawanpur as per the provincial government’s directive to curb the PPR disease in sheep and goats.
Additionally, 8,000 cows and buffaloes in Makawanpur have been vaccinated against lumpy skin disease. Dr. Bijay Poudel, a veterinarian at the office, stated that this initiative covered various municipalities in the district, including Hetauda.
Further efforts include the vaccination of more than 6,000 cattle against foot and mouth disease in Hetauda Sub-metropolitan Corporation wards 9, 12, and 15, as well as Manahari Rural Municipality wards 6 and 7. Moreover, 1,000 stray dogs and cats in the district have been vaccinated against rabies.