October 14, 2024

ASF-related swine deaths in Mizoram, India, close to 14,000 following latest cases

Swine deaths in Mizoram, India, caused by African swine fever (ASF) has reached 13,874 on October 13, with six pigs reported dead and 21 culled.

This is according to officials from the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department, taking into account pig deaths from January to October 13, 2024, in Mizoram. Additionally, 23,251 pigs have been culled since.

Currently, there are 245 villages/localities infected by ASF across the state.

June 20 recorded the highest number of pig fatality this year with 328 deaths and 306 culled.

Department officials said the resurgence of the ASF outbreak has been continuing since 2021. They added that the flu is prevalent in warm monsoon weather. The Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department stated that 33,417 pigs died due to ASF in 2021, 12,795 in 2022 and 1,039 in 2023

The spread of the ASF since 2021 has incurred a huge loss for pig farmers in Mizoram. The Mizoram Pig Farmers' Association stated that Mizoram is unable to achieve self-sufficiency in pork production due to high pig deaths brought on by the ASF and the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome.

According to the Integrated Sample Survey Report 2023 published by the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department, Mizoram consumes 4,07,145kg of pork every month.

The Pig Farmers' Association highlighted that Mizoram has enough pig farms to sustain the state as well as export it to other states, but due to high deaths of pigs in the last 10 years, the farmers have faced huge loss.

- India Today NE