Mechinagar: African swine flu and lumpy skin disease have been detected in domesticated animals of Mechinagar Municipality.
According to National News Agency Nepal, lumpy skin has been confirmed in Wards No. 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, and 14 of Mechinagar, while African swine flu has been identified in pig farms of Ward No. 6, as shared by Chief Administrative Officer Agni Prasad Adhikari.
Technical staff from the Animal Services Unit of the municipality have been mobilized for necessary testing, treatment, and vigilance for disease control and further prevention. Adhikari mentioned that they have also requested necessary support from the Koshi Province and federal government agencies.
Chhatra Rai, a technician at the Animal Services Unit, stated that lumpy skin was detected in cows and calves, and the infected animals have been isolated following treatment. To prevent further spread, the veterinary team has administered vaccines to more than 150 cattle raised by farmers within 500 meters of the shed where the infection was found. The infected animals exhibit symptoms such as high fever, shivering, loss of appetite, and low milk production.
In addition, 80 pigs have died due to African swine flu at Babita Pig Farm in Mechinagar Ward No. 6. The tests conducted at the Animal and Poultry Disease Research Laboratory confirmed African swine flu in the deceased pigs, according to Bikram Gurung, head of the Animal Services Unit.
Following reports of sudden pig deaths on the farm, a sample was sent to the laboratory for testing, which confirmed African swine flu. The farm’s proprietor, Babita Gahatraj, noted that the pigs died suddenly in the month of Jestha. Meanwhile, a technical team led by the municipality’s animal services branch is conducting medical treatment and awareness activities to prevent the spread of the disease in the affected pig farm and surrounding areas.