Over 5,500 pigs have died due to African Swine Fever in Mizoram

More than 5,500 pigs and piglets have been killed in two months due to the outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF), an official of the state animal husbandry and veterinary science department said on Wednesday.

The department joint director (Livestock Health) Dr Lalhmingthanga said that the ASF continues to wreak havoc as it is still spreading to other areas.

The dreaded disease has so far claimed 5,546 pigs and piglets since March, causing monetary losses to the tune of Rs. 22.18 crore, he said.

The first pig death due to ASF was reported at Lungsen village in south Mizoram’s Lunglei district bordering Bangladesh on March 21.

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Since then, the dreaded African Swine Fever has spread to at least 103 villages and localities in nine district, including Aizawl, Lalhmingthanga said.

Lunglei district borne the brunt of the pig diseases, reporting as many as 2,497 deaths, followed by Aizawl district, which reported 1,874 deaths so far, he said.

ASF is a highly contagious and deadly viral disease affecting both domestic and feral swine of all ages. Experts said that it is not a threat to human health and cannot be transmitted from pigs to humans. No vaccine is available for the virus till date.