African Swine Flue alert: Gazette declares all divisional secretariats as at-risk areas

An Extraordinary Gazette Notification has been issued declaring all Divisional Secretariat Divisions in Sri Lanka as African Swine Flue (ASF) infected or at-risk areas.

The Gazette, issued by the Director General of Animal Production and Health, Mrs. Hemali Kotelawala, will remain in effect for three months starting from June 13. The notification also designates pigs as at-risk animals.

The decision comes in response to the continued spread of ASF in several areas across the country in recent months, with authorities warning of the likelihood of further outbreaks.

According to the Gazette, the transportation, removal, or movement of high-risk pigs, pork, and pork products within or outside infected and high-risk areas is strictly prohibited. Slaughtering infected animals for meat and holding live animal markets involving high-risk animals are also banned unless a special permit is obtained from the respective Divisional Veterinarian.

The measures aim to control and prevent further spread of the deadly disease, which poses a serious threat to the swine population and the pork industry in Sri Lanka.