India, April 8 -- Authorities have culled 83 pigs after an outbreak of African swine fever (ASF), a highly contagious viral disease, was confirmed at a private farm in Chhattisgarh's Durg district, officials said on Wednesday.

Pigs at the farm in Mudpar village under Dhamdha development block had been dying over the past few days, following which the owner approached the district veterinary department on April 1, Deputy Director (Veterinary Services) Wasim Shams said.

A veterinary team visited the site on April 2, collected samples and sent them to a laboratory in Bhopal. The samples tested positive for ASF on April 6, triggering containment measures, he said.

Following confirmation, the team culled 83 pigs through injections, and the ...