September 5, 2005

Pigs in India killed by Japanese encephalitis

Pigs in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh have reportedly been killed by Japanese encephalitis recently.

Japanese encephalitis is endemic among pigs and is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes.

So far, over 400 people have already died from the disease over the past month, according to official reports.

The government has expressed dismay at the lack of sanitation in disease-affected areas of the state and has ordered the removal of pigs from residential areas.

Meanwhile, local authorities in Nagaland state have banned delivery of pigs from Uttar Pradesh, after laboratory test results turned up positive for the disease and pigs had reportedly died from it.