Mizoram has banned the import of pigs and piglets following the outbreak of PRRS and Classical Swine Flu.
Newmai News Network
Aizawl | April 23
Mizoram has banned the import of pigs and piglets from neighbouring States and countries especially from Myanmar, following the outbreak of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) and Classical Swine Flu (CSF) in Lunglei, Serchhip and other districts of Mizoram.
More than 1,300 pigs and piglets have died in Mizoram during the last few weeks due to the outbreak of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) and Classical Swine Flu (CSF), officials said.
The figure was based on the latest weekly reports received from eight district of Mizoram till Thursday, according to Dr Hmarkunga, Joint Director, Mizoram Animal Husbandry and Veterinary department.
He said that over 2,600 pigs and piglets have been infected with PRRS and CSF in different parts of the State and over 80 villages have also been affected by the two diseases.
Lunglei district magistrate Benjamin Lalzama on Monday issued an order banning imports of pigs and piglets from outside the State as a precautionary measure to prevent further outbreak of PRRS and CSF. The order also prohibited transaction of pigs to other areas from Lunglei district and also imposed a ban on inter-village or district transportation/movement of pigs.
The district magistrate also asked all pig farmers to immediately bury their dead pigs and warned against selling ailing pigs in the market. It also asked butchers to only sell hygienic meat in the market.
The order was issued as a preventive measure against further spread of the diseases in the State. Any violators are liable to be punished under section 188 of IPC, the order said.
Meanwhile, the outbreak of PRRS and CSF has hit pork market in Aizawl as many families refrained from buying the meat.
A butcher in Aizawl's main market said his sales have drastically declined since last week as people refused to consume pork due to the outbreak of PRRS and CSF.
It can be noted here that the PRRS hit Mizoram in 2013 and 2016. More than 3,000 pigs and piglets had died in 2013 while over 4,000 died in 2016.
PRRS is caused by a virus known as arterivirus which can be propagated through respiration, intercourse and artificial insemination, officials informed. As there are no vaccines available for the viral diseases, drugs to prevent secondary bacterial infections were administered to the affected swines, Mizoram Animal Husbandry and Veterinary department said.
