Tuesday, Mar 25 2025 | Time 17:43 Hrs(IST)
States » EastPosted at: Mar 23 2025 6:35PM


Fresh wave of African Swine Fever claims over 200 pigs in Mizoram

Aizawl, Mar 23 (UNI) The deadly African Swine Fever (ASF) has once again struck Mizoram, leaving a trail of devastation among pig-rearing communities.
Laboratory tests conducted by the State Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department confirmed the resurgence of the disease a few days ago. As of now, 227 pigs have perished due to the outbreak, and another 48 have been culled to contain its spread, Department officials said on Sunday.
However, unofficial reports suggest that the toll could be higher. Village leaders from three localities in Zawlnuam town, Mamit district — which shares a border with Tripura — have claimed that 35 pigs have died in their areas till Saturday. This figure contrasts with the official count of 17 pig deaths in the same locality provided by the Veterinary Department.
Officials reported that on Saturday alone, five pigs succumbed to ASF in Lawngtlai district, though no culling took place that day. On Sunday, while no new deaths were recorded, culling operations resumed, with 15 pigs culled in Lawngtlai town.
Bungtlang South village remains one of the hardest-hit areas, with a staggering 188 pig deaths reported so far. In Lawngtlai town, 77 pigs have died, while 17 deaths have been recorded in Zawlnuam.
The State Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department collected samples from sick and deceased pigs in affected towns and villages, initially testing them in its laboratory in Aizawl. These samples were subsequently sent to Guwahati for further confirmation. The Guwahati laboratory officially confirmed ASF infections on Thursday.
A senior department official acknowledged that ASF has become an annual menace since its first detection in the state at Lungsen village, on the Bangladesh border in Lunglei district, on March 21, 2021. "Since then, African Swine Fever has resurfaced every year, causing significant losses to pig farmers across Mizoram and resulting in the deaths and culling of tens of thousands of pigs annually," he said.
According to veterinary department records, the first year of the outbreak in 2021 witnessed the highest number of pig deaths and culling. That year, 33,417 pigs died from ASF, and 12,568 were culled. In 2022, 12,791 pigs died, and 11,594 were culled as preventive measures. The outbreak subsided slightly in 2023, with 1,039 deaths and 928 pigs culled — the lowest numbers since the disease appeared in the state.
However, the situation worsened again last year, with records showing that up to December 23, at least 14,950 pigs had died from ASF, and 24,117 pigs were culled in efforts to halt the virus’s spread.
As the state grapples with this fresh outbreak, pig farmers remain anxious about their livelihood, while veterinary officials continue to monitor the situation closely and enforce containment measures in affected areas.
UNI ZS BD
Tags: #Fresh wave of African Swine Fever claims over 200 pigs in Mizoram
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