Mizoram marks areas in 4 districts as epicentre of 'African Swine Fever'

AIZAWL: The Mizoram government has declared some areas in four districts of the state as  "epicentre" of African Swine Fever (ASF).

Lungsen village and Lunglei Electric Veng locality in Lunglei district, Armed Veng and Edenthar neighbourhood in Aizawl district, Keitum village in Serchhip district and a locality (Vaipi-I) in Siaha town of the district have been declared as "epicentre" of ASF, the dreaded pig disease which has killed more than 1,000 pigs in a month.

Five districts in the state, Aizawl, Lunglei, Serchhip, Mamit and Siaha have been affected by ASF so far.

However, the Mamit district is yet to be declared as epicenter though it has also reported ASF related pig deaths.

The first pig death due to ASF was reported at Lungsen village under Tlabung sub-division in south Mizoram''s Lunglei district on March 21.

At least 1,119 pigs have died due to ASF so far in the state causing financial losses to the tune of over Rs 4.47 crore.

ASF related pig deaths were reported at four villages in Mamit districts, one village in Serchhip district, one locality in Siaha town and three localities each in Aizawl and Lunglei towns.

Unusual death of 87 pigs was also reported in Aizawl''s Durtlang locality, Chawngte village in Mizoram''s southernmost Lawngtlai district and in Serchhip town, which is yet to be verified.

Samples of the dead pigs from these areas will be sent to Guwahati for diagnosis.

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However, the government has not undertaken culling of pigs as it involves compensation but some infected pigs were voluntarily culled by the owners as a preventive measure.

The government has taken massive containment measures to prevent the pig disease from spreading to other districts.

Mizoram  which has 11 districts, is witnessing the ASF for the first time in its history.