African Swine Fever Outbreak in Nepal: Over 250 Pigs Die in Gorkha as Authorities Urge Farmers to Tighten Biosecurity
Deadly viral disease spreads across multiple farms in Gorkha district, with no vaccine or treatment available; officials warn actual losses could be higher
More than 250 pigs have died in Nepal’s Gorkha District following an outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF), raising fresh concerns over the spread of the highly contagious livestock disease and its impact on the country’s pig farming sector. Veterinary authorities say the outbreak has been affecting farms in the district for nearly two months.
According to the Veterinary Hospital and Livestock Service Centre, Gorkha, the disease has been confirmed in several pig farms located in Gorkha Municipality Wards 6, 7 and 8, as well as Shahid Lakhan Rural Municipality-7. Officials believe the number of affected animals may increase as reports continue to arrive from both registered and unregistered farms.
Among the worst-hit farmers is Raj Kumar Shrestha of Gorkha Municipality-6, who reportedly lost 80 pigs. Another farmer, Dhan Kumar Gurung of Mandredhunga, lost 60 pigs within two weeks, while several other farms have also reported significant losses. Authorities say the cumulative death toll has now crossed 250 pigs.
District livestock officials have warned that African Swine Fever has no approved treatment or commercially available vaccine, making prevention the only effective strategy. Once infected, pigs face an extremely high mortality rate. The virus spreads through direct contact with infected animals, contaminated feed, equipment, vehicles, clothing, and people moving between farms.
Veterinary experts have urged farmers to immediately isolate sick animals, restrict movement into pig sheds, disinfect farm premises, and avoid bringing feed or equipment from infected areas. The Livestock Service Centre has also distributed biosecurity materials and advised farmers to report suspected infections without delay.
Farmers say infected pigs typically develop high fever, loss of appetite, red or dark spots on the skin, and usually die within about a week after symptoms appear. These clinical signs have been observed across multiple affected farms in Gorkha during the current outbreak.
Although African Swine Fever causes devastating losses to domestic pigs and wild boar, it does not infect humans and is not considered a food safety risk. Nevertheless, outbreaks can severely disrupt pork production, reduce farmer incomes, and lead to significant economic losses for the livestock industry.
With the outbreak continuing to spread across parts of Gorkha, veterinary authorities have intensified surveillance and are urging pig farmers throughout Nepal to strengthen biosecurity measures. Officials stress that early reporting, strict hygiene practices, and limiting animal movement remain the most effective tools to contain the disease until better control measures become available.
