African swine fever outbreak confirmed at Chhattisgarh farm; 83 pigs culled

Authorities have declared a 1-km radius around the farm as an ‘infected zone’, while areas within a 10-km radius have been designated as ‘surveillance zones’.

Published on: Apr 8, 2026, 10:39:10 IST

By Ritesh Mishra

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Authorities have culled 83 pigs after an outbreak of African swine fever (ASF), a highly contagious viral disease, was confirmed at a private farm in Chhattisgarh’s Durg district, officials said on Wednesday.

Pigs at the farm in Mudpar village under Dhamdha development block had been dying over the past few days, following which the owner approached the district veterinary department on April 1, Deputy Director (Veterinary Services) Wasim Shams said.

A veterinary team visited the site on April 2, collected samples and sent them to a laboratory in Bhopal. The samples tested positive for ASF on April 6, triggering containment measures, he said.

Following confirmation, the team culled 83 pigs through injections, and the carcasses were buried in accordance with prescribed protocols, Shams added.

Authorities have declared a 1-km radius around the farm as an ‘infected zone’, while areas within a 10-km radius have been designated as ‘surveillance zones’. Movement of pigs has been restricted in the infected zone, with controlled movement permitted in the surveillance area.

Shams said ASF has no treatment or vaccine, and as per Government of India guidelines, culling and safe disposal of carcasses remain the only effective means to control its spread.

He added that the disease affects only pigs and does not pose any risk to humans or other animals.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

Chhattisgarh

Home/Cities/Others/African Swine Fever Outbreak Confirmed At Chhattisgarh Farm; 83 Pigs Culled