Kottayam: Authorities confirmed an outbreak of African Swine Fever, a highly contagious and often fatal swine disease, at a farm in Kumarakom village panchayat, Kottayam district, on Saturday.

The district collector has declared a one-kilometre radius around the affected farm as a disease-affected zone and a 10-kilometre radius as a disease surveillance area.

Strict precautionary measures have been ordered across the district in response to the outbreak, according to an official statement.

The distribution of pork and the operation of shops selling it in the affected areas have been suspended until further notice. Transport of pork, pigs, and animal feed to and from the infected area has also been temporarily banned.

Officials said all pigs on the affected farm and within a one-kilometre radius will be culled in line with central government guidelines.

A rapid response team has been established to coordinate control measures, authorities added.

PTI inputs