Digital Desk: Acute cases
of African Swine Fever (ASF) have been reported in Mizoram, Sikkim, and Assam
in the northeastern part of the country. African Swine Fever is caused by pigs
and is highly contagious. After learning of new ASF cases, the Mizoram
government has already banned imports of pigs and pork products to contain the
spread of the virus.
Until further notice, the
Mizoram government has ordered a complete ban on the import of live pigs, fresh
pork, and all pork products, including frozen pork, from other states and other
countries.
Sikkim has also been
affected since several cases were reported in Gangtok, Mangan, Pakyong, and
Namchi, the state's four districts. In light of the increasing cases of this
deadly virus in Sikkim, the state's animal husbandry department has also
implemented curbs so as to monitor the spread. It has been reported that there
have been 115 pig deaths in Sikkim, representing suspected ASF cases.
During
the first three months of this year, two pigs died of ASF in Assam, which has
also imposed restrictions in and around the epicenter, in Goalpara and
Charaideo districts. In the last two years, outbreaks were also seen in Assam
(where 38,700 pigs died over 18 months), Meghalaya (where 300 pigs died), and
across districts of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Tripura.
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