At least 509 pigs dead in Mizoram, India districts since March 20 due to ASF

A fresh outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) has resulted in the deaths of at least 509 pigs in two districts of Mizoram, India, since March 20, officials said on March 30, adding that culling operations have begun in the region to prevent further spread of the disease.

According to an official from the Mizoram animal husbandry and veterinary department, the pigs died in Lawngtlai and Mamit districts since the latest outbreak began. Of the 509 deaths, 462 of them took place on March 28.

"The outbreak was officially confirmed on March 20 through laboratory tests conducted in Guwahati," Dr. Esther Lalzoliani Ralte, livestock in-charge of the state animal husbandry and veterinary department, said, adding the outbreak has affected 13 localities and villages across the two districts.

The outbreak has hit Lawngtlai the hardest, with 440 pigs reported dead across six localities of the district. The remaining deaths were recorded in Zawlnuam town of Mamit district, which shares a boundary with Tripura.

Veterinary officials and village councils have started carrying out culling operations in the two districts. So far, 94 pigs have been culled to prevent further spread of the highly contagious disease.

- Hindustan Times