Pig fever detected in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 5 (UNI) For the first time in the country, pig fever has been detected in Kerala following the death of the animals at a private farm in Wayanad District.

Confirming the information, State Animal Husbandry Minister C Divakaran told UNI there was nothing to fear as necessary steps had been taken to check its spread.

The pig fever was first detected at the private farm and samples sent to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute in Uttar Pradesh which confirmed it.

Vaccines were distributed to the pig farms in the state as a precautionary measure, Mr Divakaran said adding the veterinary hospital in the district had the necessary facilities for dealing with such cases.

Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports said about 50 pigs died in Kozhikode today.

The owner of the pig farm where the animals suddenly died kept mum on the issue. It was only when the media reported it, the samples were taken and sent for analysis.

UNI PN AJ VD GC1934