An extraordinary gazette notification has been issued, designating all Divisional Secretariat divisions in Sri Lanka as either infected or at-risk areas for African Swine Fever (ASF).
This gazette notification was issued by Dr. Hemali Kothalawala, Director General of Animal Production and Health, and will be valid for a period of three months starting from the 13th of last month.
The extraordinary gazette notification also designates pigs as at-risk animals.
The gazette states that this step was taken because African Swine Fever has spread across various Divisional Secretariat divisions in Sri Lanka over the past few months, and there is a high possibility of further spread, according to Dr. Hemali Kothalawala.
Accordingly, without a permit issued by the Divisional Veterinary Surgeon, it is prohibited to:
- Transport, remove, carry, or drive at-risk pigs, pork, and pork products into or out of infected or at-risk areas.
- Slaughter infected animals for meat.
- Conduct live animal markets using at-risk animals.
