With 160 more pigs killed by African Swine Fever (ASF) in the past two days, the death toll of pigs in Mizoram since February has surpassed 3,350, officials reported on Tuesday. According to the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary (AHV) Department, the recent deaths occurred mainly in Saitual, Aizawl, Serchhip, and Khawzawl districts.
To prevent further spread of the highly contagious disease, at least 300 pigs were culled on Monday and Tuesday, bringing the total number of pigs culled in Mizoram this year to 6,504. The AHV officials revealed that the ASF outbreak has affected pigs in at least 120 villages across six districts: Aizawl, Champhai, Lunglei, Saitual, Khawzawl, and Serchhip.
Since the first ASF case was reported in mid-March 2021 from Lungsen village in Lunglei district near the Bangladesh border, the disease has resurfaced annually. In 2021, ASF caused the deaths of 33,420 pigs and piglets, followed by 12,800 in 2022, and 1,040 in 2023.
Under the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Disease in Animals Act, 2009, the AHV department has declared numerous villages and localities in the affected districts as infected areas. Consequently, the supply of pigs, piglets, and pork from these areas has been barred. Additionally, the state government has banned the import of pigs and piglets from neighboring states and countries with ongoing ASF outbreaks.
Officials noted that ASF outbreaks tend to occur when the climate warms up and pre-monsoon rains begin in Mizoram. The government has compensated over 3,000 families for the loss of pigs due to the disease so far. Experts suggest that the ASF outbreaks might have been triggered by pigs or pork imported from neighboring Myanmar, Bangladesh, and other northeastern states.
Pork is a staple and highly popular meat among both tribals and non-tribals in the northeastern region. With a substantial demand for pork, the annual business is valued at around Rs 8,000-10,000 crore in the Northeast, with Assam being the largest supplier.
