Kottayam: The district has reported an outbreak of African Swine Fever in several pig farms in the Kootickal and Vazhoor Grama Panchayat areas, said district collector John V Samuel on Friday.

After confirming the outbreak, the district authorities declared a one-kilometre radius around the affected pig farms as an infected zone, while an area within a 10-kilometre radius has been identified as a surveillance zone.

As per the collector's order, the distribution and sale of pig meat (pork) from the infected regions are strictly prohibited. The transportation of pigs and pig feed is also banned in these areas.

The collector stated that all pigs at the affected farm, along with pigs from nearby farms, will be culled and buried in accordance with the central government's guidelines. This task has been assigned to the District Animal Husbandry Officer.

The surveillance zones identified include Mundakayam, Parathode, Poonjar Thekkekara, Elikulam, Chirakadavu, Vellavoor, Kangazha, Pambady, Kooropada, and Pallikkathode.