ASF Outbreak in Mizoram: Mizoram suffers massive economic losses as ASF outbreak leads to thousands of pig deaths since 2021. Officials urge strict biosecurity measures.
African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak in Mizoram has turned into a major crisis, killing more than 3,050 pigs across four of the state’s 11 districts, officials from the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department (AHVD) said on Saturday.
The ASF outbreak, which resurfaced in Mizoram last month, has severely impacted the districts of Siaha, Lawngtlai, Lunglei, and Mamit. All four districts share long, unfenced borders with neighboring Myanmar and Bangladesh, making the containment of the highly contagious disease an uphill battle.
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According to AHVD officials, the department has so far declared 46 localities across the four affected districts as ASF-infected zones. Siaha district continues to be the worst affected, reporting the highest number of deaths. As of now, Siaha alone has lost 1,651 pigs to the disease. Lawngtlai town, which borders both Myanmar and Bangladesh, has also suffered heavily, with a reported pig death toll of 1,189.
Efforts to control the spread have been aggressive. AHVD teams have culled nearly 1,000 pigs in the affected districts as part of containment measures. Despite these efforts, the situation remains ‘very serious,’ officials said, although there are early signs of the death rate slowing down since Thursday.
Senior officials of the department have been conducting regular monitoring visits to the affected areas and overseeing the implementation of biosecurity measures. Farmers and the public have been urged to remain extremely cautious and report any unusual deaths or symptoms in pigs.
Experts have pointed out that the ongoing hot and humid weather, coupled with intermittent rainfall, has created conditions favorable for the spread of the ASF virus. The disease, although harmless to humans, is deadly for pigs and can wipe out entire pig populations if not contained swiftly.
Mizoram has been grappling with recurring ASF outbreaks since mid-March 2021. The impact on the state’s pig farming community, which forms a significant part of the rural economy, has been devastating. Over the past few years, the state has witnessed massive losses both in terms of livestock and finances.
In 2021 alone, the state recorded the deaths of around 33,417 pigs and piglets, with an additional 12,568 pigs culled to contain the virus. The situation remained grim in 2022, with 12,795 deaths and 11,686 cullings. In 2023, the numbers were relatively lower, but still concerning, with 1,139 deaths and 980 cullings reported.
In 2021 alone, the state recorded the deaths of around 33,417 pigs and piglets, with an additional 12,568 pigs culled to contain the virus. The situation remained grim in 2022, with 12,795 deaths and 11,686 cullings. In 2023, the numbers were relatively lower, but still concerning, with 1,139 deaths and 980 cullings reported.
This year, with the latest resurgence, the losses have once again escalated sharply. According to AHVD data, Mizoram has suffered financial losses amounting to Rs 896.69 crore since the first outbreak in 2021. Specifically, losses were estimated at Rs 334.14 crore in 2021, Rs 210.32 crore in 2022, Rs 15.77 crore in 2023, and Rs 336.49 crore so far in 2024.
The government has initiated compensation measures to support affected farmers. Several hundred families have received financial aid for the loss of their pigs. However, many farmers continue to struggle, as pig-rearing remains a primary source of income in rural Mizoram.
Pork holds cultural and economic significance in Mizoram and across the northeastern states. It is one of the most widely consumed meats among both tribal and non-tribal populations. The pork industry in the northeast is estimated to be worth Rs 8,000 to 10,000 crore annually, with Assam being the largest supplier in the region.
Given the high demand for pork and the heavy reliance of rural households on pig farming for livelihood, the ASF outbreak has far-reaching consequences. The loss of pigs not only affects household incomes but also disrupts the pork supply chain in the region, leading to price surges and shortages.
Authorities have reiterated the importance of strict biosecurity protocols, responsible disposal of dead pigs, and restrictions on the movement of livestock to curb further spread of the disease. They also appealed to the public not to consume or trade in meat from pigs that have died of unknown causes.
As Mizoram battles yet another wave of ASF, the government and the farming community remain on high alert, hoping to bring the outbreak under control before the losses spiral further.
