ASF Outbreak Claims Over 1,050 Swine in Three Mizoram Districts
Click to start listening
Synopsis
The resurgence of African Swine Fever in Mizoram has led to the death of over 1,050 pigs, prompting the declaration of 34 ASF-infected zones. The state government is taking measures to curb the disease's spread, which has previously caused significant financial losses to farmers and government farms.
Key Takeaways
- ASF outbreak has resulted in the death of over 1,050 pigs.
- 34 localities in three districts have been declared ASF-infected zones.
- Financial losses due to ASF since 2021 have exceeded Rs 896.69 crore.
- The government is closely monitoring the situation and providing compensation.
- ASF does not pose a threat to humans but is highly fatal for pigs.
New Delhi, April 5 (NationPress) The African Swine Fever (ASF), which re-emerged in Mizoram last month, has resulted in the death of more than 1,050 pigs, according to officials.
An official from Mizoram's Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department (AHVD) noted on Friday that the department has designated 34 localities across three districts as ASF-infected zones: Lawngtlai, Mamit, and Siaha.
Mizoram’s Lawngtlai borders Myanmar and Bangladesh, while Mamit shares borders with Tripura and Bangladesh, and Siaha is adjacent to Myanmar.
Various teams from AHVD have culled over 400 pigs and piglets in these districts to manage the outbreak. The latest ASF outbreak was confirmed on March 20 through tests conducted at the Northeast Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (NERDDL) in Guwahati.
According to AHVD officials, the Lawngtlai district experienced a fresh ASF outbreak earlier last month.
The state government is vigilantly monitoring the situation, working to contain the spread of this lethal disease in areas not yet affected.
Last year, Mizoram experienced financial losses totaling Rs 336.49 crore due to ASF, which led to the death of 15,000 pigs and the culling of approximately 24,200 pigs to prevent further transmission.
The outbreak of this contagious disease began in mid-March 2021, causing significant losses for farmers and state-run farms.
In 2021, around 33,417 pigs and piglets perished, with 12,568 culled due to the infection. In 2022, at least 12,795 pigs and piglets died, and 11,686 were culled. So far in 2023, 1,139 pigs and piglets have died, with 980 culled.
The first case of ASF in 2024 was reported on February 9 in Leithum village of Champhai district, which has unfenced borders with Myanmar.
This northeastern state, sharing unfenced borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh, has incurred financial losses amounting to Rs 896.69 crore due to ASF since 2021.
"Considering the mortality rate and culling of pigs and piglets from the ASF outbreak, Mizoram faced losses of Rs 334.14 crore in 2021, Rs 210.32 crore in 2022, and Rs 15.77 crore in 2023," an AHVD official informed IANS.
The government has provided compensation to several hundred families affected by the loss of pigs due to this highly infectious disease, she stated.
While ASF does not affect humans, it poses a significant threat to pigs, with a very high mortality rate.
