According to a senior official from the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department (AHVD), the disease shows no sign of abating. Teams deployed in the worst-hit districts have already culled about 3,455 pigs to curb the spread of the highly contagious virus.

 

"Since March this year, pig farmers in Mizoram have incurred estimated losses of ₹110.36 crore (US$13.29 million)," the official said. The outbreak has created widespread distress, particularly in rural areas where pig rearing remains a key source of livelihood.

 

Siaha district in southern Mizoram has borne the brunt of the epidemic, with more than 3,380 pig deaths across 38 villages and localities, affecting nearly 1,295 families. Authorities there have culled around 935 pigs in containment operations. Lawngtlai district is the second-worst affected, with 1,771 pig deaths reported in 18 villages, leaving 381 families impacted.

 

Other districts that continue to report heavy losses include Khawzawl, Hnahthial, Lunglei, Serchhip, Mamit, and Champhai. Of these, Lunglei has carried out the highest culling so far, with 1,619 pigs destroyed, followed by Siaha.

 

The state government has been urging farmers to remain alert and to fully cooperate with AHVD teams as they attempt to halt the spread of ASF. Mass culling operations and strict monitoring are ongoing in the affected regions. Officials said veterinary teams are making regular visits to the outbreak zones to track fresh cases and initiate swift containment measures.

 

Earlier this month, Mizoram Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Vijay Kumar Singh chaired a review meeting with senior AHVD officials to take stock of the crisis. He was briefed on the spread of ASF and the scale of its impact, which has continued to cripple pig farming in the state.

 

The first ASF case in Mizoram was recorded in Lungsen village, Lunglei district, on March 21, 2021. Since then, repeated outbreaks have left a trail of losses for pig farmers.

 

To cushion the economic blow, compensation worth ₹1,451.91 lakh (US$1.75 million) has been disbursed under the central assistance scheme for animal disease control and through state funds. Additionally, the Mizoram Disaster Management and Rehabilitation (DM&R) Department has provided another ₹477.08 lakh (US$574,800) for pigs lost to the disease.

 

ASF, which does not affect humans, is known for its high mortality rate among pigs and poses one of the most serious threats to the state's livestock sector. With the virus still spreading and thousands of families reeling from losses, Mizoram's authorities face mounting challenges in preventing further outbreaks and safeguarding a key pillar of rural livelihoods.