Over 900 pigs have died in Nepal’s capital Kathmandu as a result of the first-ever outbreak of the African swine fever in the country, the World Organization for Animal Health ( OIE) has confirmed. Six municipalities in the capital are affected by the outbreak.

Confirming the spread, the OIE, a Paris-based organization working for animals worldwide, has said that country had 1,426 susceptible and 1,364 active cases of African swine by Thursday. Although Nepali officials are aware of the situation, they haven’t officially acknowledged the outbreak, reported Kathmandu Post.

According to the US government agency, FDA, the African Swine Fever (ASF) is a highly contagious and deadly swine disease that is readily passed from one pig to another by direct contact with bodily fluids from an infected pig.

The virus, however, is “not a danger” to human health, but it could have a devastating impact on the pig population, according to the World Health Organization. The spread, if remains unchecked, could wipe out the entire population of pigs in the affected areas.

Furthermore, the deadly virus is highly resistant to the environment and could survive on clothes, boots, wheels, and other materials, for days.

It was not yet known how the virus erupted in the capital area and what measures were being taken to check the spread.  

(SAM)