July 1, 2013

India may close Burma border over swine disease fears

Following detection of several cases of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) in north eastern states bordering Burma, India's central government is considering taking further measures to prevent the spread of a disease affecting pigs.

The state of Manipur has already imposed a ban on pig imports from Burma, but New Delhi now feels that paramilitary forces should be deployed to completely seal the state's 404-kilometre-long international border, the report said. "Myanmar was the only country having PRRS till some swine in India's northeast were found to be infected with the dreaded disease," said LB Sailo, director of the Mizoram animal husbandry and veterinary department.