The transportation of pigs across Divisional Secretariats has been suspended following confirmed cases of African swine fever at several local farms—the first recorded outbreak of the disease in Sri Lanka.
Director General of the Department of Animal Production and Health, Dr. Hemali Kothalawala, announced that an official gazette notification is forthcoming. Nearly a thousand pigs have died from the virus in recent days, with cases emerging in all provinces except the Northern Province.
To prevent further spread, vaccinations have been administered to unaffected animals. Dr. Kothalawala also cautioned against consuming meat from pigs that have died from the disease.
