As part of containment measures, pigs within the infected farm and the surrounding one-kilometre zone will be culled, in accordance with central guidelines.
Published Oct 05, 2025 | 10:33 AM ⚊ Updated Oct 05, 2025 | 10:33 AM
Pigs. (iStock)
Synopsis: Authorities have confirmed an outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Kumarakom grama panchayat in the Kottayam district of Kerala. The disease is known for its high fatality among pigs.
Authorities have confirmed an outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Kumarakom grama panchayat in the Kottayam district of Kerala on Saturday, 4 October. The disease, known for its high fatality among pigs, was detected at a local farm on Saturday evening.
Following the confirmation, the district collector issued an order and declared a one-kilometre radius around the farm as an infected zone and a 10-kilometre belt as a surveillance area.
All pig rearing and pork-related activities in these regions are under strict restrictions. The sale and transport of pork, pigs, and related feed have been suspended until further notice.
“The distribution of pork and operations of shops selling it in affected areas have to be suspended until further notice,” the district collector said in a statement.
The infected areas are the third ward of Kumarakom Gram Panchayat and the 18th ward of Thiruvarp Gram Panchayat. The local bodies included in the surveillance zone are Kumarakom, Arpookkara, Thiruvarp, Aymanam, Vechur, Neendur grama panchayats and the Kottayam Municipality.
As part of containment measures, pigs within the infected farm and the surrounding one-kilometre zone will be culled, in accordance with central guidelines. A rapid response team has also been deployed to oversee control and precautionary steps across the district, officials said.
The district collector further noted that African swine fever is a viral disease found only in pigs. The animal welfare department has clarified that it is not contagious to humans or other animals.
Earlier, on 26 September, a case of African swine fever was reported in the Thrissur district, confirmed in Mulankunnathukavu’s sixth ward after testing at the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) lab in Bhopal.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil with inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman.)
