Aizawl, Sep 30 (NationPress) The northeastern state of Mizoram is facing a significant crisis due to an ongoing outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) that began in mid-March. According to officials, this devastating situation has resulted in the death of over 9,380 pigs and has impacted approximately 3,690 families across 162 villages and localities in eight districts.

A senior representative from the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department (AHVD) reported that the disease is rapidly spreading, showing no signs of subsiding.

To date, AHVD teams have culled around 3,455 pigs across the affected areas to help control the outbreak.

The official indicated that since March, pig farmers in Mizoram have incurred losses estimated at Rs 110.36 crore.

The district of Siaha is the hardest hit, recording over 3,380 pig deaths across 38 villages, affecting 1,295 families. In this district, approximately 935 pigs have been culled as a preventive measure.

Other severely impacted districts include Lawngtlai, Khawzawl, Hnahthial, Lunglei, Serchhip, Mamit, and Champhai.

Following Siaha, Lawngtlai district has reported 1,771 pig deaths affecting 381 families across 18 villages, with Lunglei district culling the highest number of pigs at 1,619.

The Mizoram government is urging farmers to stay alert and collaborate with AHVD officials to mitigate the spread of ASF.

As the rapidly transmissible virus continues to devastate the pig population, authorities are prioritizing preventive measures to avoid further outbreaks.

The veterinary department has initiated mass culling in the affected regions in response to the crisis.

AHVD teams are consistently visiting the impacted areas to monitor the situation and implement immediate actions to prevent the disease from spreading.

Previously, Mizoram Governor General Vijay Kumar Singh (retd) held a review meeting with senior AHVD officials to discuss the ongoing ASF situation.

Officials provided a comprehensive overview, noting that the first case of ASF in Mizoram was detected in Lungsen village in Lunglei district on March 21, 2021.

Since that time, approximately 72,000 pigs have succumbed to ASF, with over 53,000 culled to curb the spread.

This outbreak has impacted 11,382 households, leading to an estimated financial loss near Rs 1,000 crore. The state has allocated Rs 1,451.915 lakh as compensation for culled pigs, with an additional Rs 477.08 lakh provided through the Mizoram Disaster Management and Rehabilitation (DM&R) Department for losses due to the disease.

While ASF does not pose a threat to human health, it is a highly contagious disease among pigs with a very high mortality rate.

Pork is a staple meat for both tribal and non-tribal communities in the northeastern region, comprising eight states, and with a substantial demand, the annual pork business is valued between Rs 8,000-10,000 crore, with Assam as the largest supplier.

Mizoram shares an unfenced border with Myanmar's Chin state, impacting six districts: Champhai, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Hnahthial, Saitual, and Serchhip.

Experts suggest that the cross-border movement of pigs and pork may have contributed to the ASF outbreak.