JHAPA: Cases of African swine fever and lumpy skin disease have been confirmed in domestic animals in Mechinagar Municipality.
According to Chief Administrative Officer Agni Prasad Adhikari, lumpy skin disease has been detected in Wards 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, and 14, while African swine fever has been confirmed at pig farms in Ward 6.
Technical staff from the municipality’s Animal Services Unit have been mobilized for testing, treatment, and disease surveillance. “We have also requested necessary support from Koshi Province and federal government agencies,” Adhikari added.
Chhatra Rai, a technician with the Animal Services Unit, said the lumpy skin virus was detected in cows and calves. The infected animals have been isolated and are receiving treatment.
To prevent further spread, the veterinary team has administered vaccines to over 150 cattle raised within a 500-meter radius of the infected sheds. Infected animals exhibit symptoms such as high fever, shivering, loss of appetite, and reduced milk production.
Meanwhile, 80 pigs have died from African swine fever at Babita Pig Farm in Ward 6. Tests conducted by the Animal and Poultry Disease Research Laboratory confirmed the presence of the virus in the dead animals, according to Bikram Gurung, head of the Animal Services Unit.
“After reports of sudden pig deaths, we sent samples for testing, and the results confirmed African swine fever,” Gurung said.
Farm owner Babita Gahatraj stated that 80 pigs died suddenly during the month of Jestha, causing significant losses.
A technical team from the municipality’s Animal Services Unit is conducting treatment and awareness campaigns to control the spread of the disease in the affected pig farm and surrounding areas.
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