July 15, 2009
Swine fever kills 501 pigs in north-eastern Indian state
As many as 501 pigs in Mizoram, north-eastern India, have fallen prey to swine fever and the monetary losses have been estimated at Rs25 lakh, veterinary officials said on Tuesday (July 14).
However, officials assured that there was no reason to panic as swine fever cannot be contracted by human beings, unlike swine flu.
Headed by the minister, top officials of the department held a special meeting on swine fever that chalked out action to be taken to control the disease.
Veterinary officials pointed out that swine fever was an endemic disease in Mizoram and the present outbreak was due to heavy influx of pigs from Myanmar.
Two serum samples from Jalgaon's Dahivad village had been sent on Saturday (July 11) to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) in Izatnagar. According to officials, preliminary tests indicated swine fever.
It was reported during the meeting that the veterinary department had initiated procurement of swine fever vaccine in October last year by depositing Rs9.6 lakh for 60,000 doses at the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, which is the only swine fever vaccine producing unit in the country.
The meeting also suggested restriction of import of pigs from the neighbouring country.
