A fresh outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) has led to the deaths of more than 510 pigs in Mizoram, officials from the state’s Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department (AHVD) confirmed on Saturday. The outbreak has affected 13 villages and localities across two districts—Lawngtlai and Mamit—over the past two weeks, raising concerns among pig farmers and authorities.
Extent of the Outbreak and Response Measures
Authorities have identified Lawngtlai and Mamit districts as the worst-hit areas. Lawngtlai, which shares unfenced international borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh, was the first to report cases earlier this month. Shortly after, pig fatalities were also reported in Mamit district, which shares an interstate boundary with Tripura and an international frontier with Bangladesh.
To curb the spread of the highly contagious disease, the AHVD has deployed two specialized teams to the affected areas. These teams have already culled approximately 100 pigs and piglets in Lawngtlai and Mamit to contain the infection. The Northeast Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (NERDDL) in Guwahati confirmed the fresh ASF outbreak on March 20 following laboratory tests.
Massive Losses Over the Years
Mizoram has been battling ASF since March 2021, and the disease has inflicted severe economic losses on pig farmers and government-run farms. The state has recorded substantial losses over the years:
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2021: 33,417 pigs and piglets perished, and 12,568 were culled, causing a financial loss of ₹334.14 crore.
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2022: 12,795 pigs died, and 11,686 were culled, leading to losses of ₹210.32 crore.
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2023: 1,139 pigs died, and 980 were culled, resulting in a loss of ₹15.77 crore.
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2024: The first ASF case this year was detected on February 9 in Leithum village, Champhai district, which also shares an unfenced border with Myanmar. By the end of December 2024, over 15,000 pigs had succumbed, and 24,200 pigs had been culled, causing an estimated loss of ₹336.49 crore.
Since the initial outbreak in 2021, Mizoram has suffered a cumulative financial loss of ₹896.69 crore due to the deadly disease.
Government Intervention and Compensation for Farmers
Recognizing the impact on farmers, the Mizoram government has been actively monitoring the outbreak and taking measures to prevent the spread of ASF in unaffected regions. Several hundred families have received financial compensation for their losses due to the disease. However, pig farmers continue to face economic hardships due to the recurring outbreaks.
Cause and Spread of ASF in Mizoram
Experts believe the source of infection may be pigs or pork products imported from Myanmar, Bangladesh, or neighboring Indian states. Mizoram’s 510-km-long unfenced border with Myanmar and 318-km border with Bangladesh make it vulnerable to transboundary disease transmission.
ASF is a highly infectious viral disease that affects pigs but does not pose any risk to humans. The virus has a high mortality rate, making it one of the most devastating diseases for pig farmers.
Impact on the Pork Industry in Northeast India
Pork is one of the most consumed meats in Mizoram and across the northeastern region of India, where both tribal and non-tribal communities rely on it as a dietary staple. The region has a flourishing pork industry, with an annual business turnover estimated at ₹8,000-10,000 crore. Assam is the largest supplier of pork in the Northeast, making outbreaks like ASF a significant threat to the livestock economy.
Ongoing Efforts to Control the Spread
With the ASF outbreak showing no signs of abating, authorities continue to take preventive measures, including:
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Regular surveillance and testing of pigs in high-risk areas.
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Restricting the movement of pigs and pork products from affected regions.
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Implementing culling operations to eliminate infected animals.
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Educating farmers on biosecurity measures to prevent future outbreaks.
The Mizoram government remains on high alert as veterinary experts work towards containing the outbreak and preventing further losses to the already struggling pig farming sector.
