Mass deaths of pigs reported in Manipur, farmers suspect 'African Swine Fever'

IMPHAL: After the mass death of pigs reported in different farms in Manipur, the state now suspects the outbreak of the fatal African Swine Fever.

Pig farmers in the state now strongly suspect that the cause of mass deaths of these pigs is due to the outbreak of the recent African Swine Fever which has already made it's presence felt in the Northeast.

According to reports, the farmers have demanded that the State veterinary department must probe the matter and take appropriate steps. Besides, the pig farmers have also demanded that the government must put a ban on the import of pigs from other states particularly from Nagaland, Assam, Meghalaya and even from Myanmar.

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The Progressive Farmer Association said some of the department officials had visited some of the places to investigate the matter, but no concrete action has been taken so far.

Meanwhile, the veterinary department has also appealed the pig farmers to vaccinate the pigs in the farms.

Earlier, The porcine industry in Assam suffered a major hit during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, followed by an outbreak of African Swine flu that has reportedly killed over 17,000 pigs in Assam and over 4,500 in Arunachal Pradesh.

Assam also opposed the decision of the Central government to transport pigs from Punjab and Haryana to the Northeast.

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