Author: Headquarters Information Bureau | Updated: July 5, 2021 at 10:48 AM (IST)

New Delhi: As the Covid-19 pandemic has already threatened our well-being, another livestock-related disease emerged in Mizoram, namely African Swine Fever (ASF), affecting as many as 10 out of 11 regions Regions.

According to state departments of animal husbandry and veterinary science, the disease has killed more than 9,000 pigs in a little over three months. According to data released by the department on Sunday, 152 villages or places in at least 10 regions are currently affected by the epidemic, causing losses in excess of Rs. 36.68 million, according to PTI.

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 According to the department, even outside the ASF-infected area, there have been reports of “abnormal deaths” of 699 pigs. The data also indicated that 1,078 pigs have been culled so far to prevent further spread of the disease.

When was the disease discovered?

On March 21, the death of the first pig was reported in Long Seng Village, Longle District, southern Mizoram State, which borders Bangladesh. Mizoram is surrounded by Assam, Manipur, and Tripura, and shares international borders with Bangladesh and Myanmar.

ASF is a serious viral disease with a case fatality rate (CFR) close to 100%. 

What is African swine fever?

It should be noted that African Swine Fever (ASF) does not affect humans, but may be harmful to pigs. Diseases affecting wild boars and domestic pigs can cause acute hemorrhagic fever. China is the largest exporter and consumer of pork, and this is the first report in the country since it has affected the number of live pigs in China. This highly contagious viral disease has caused the sudden death of pigs. The symptoms of these animals include high fever, depression, anorexia, loss of appetite, skin bleeding, vomiting and diarrhea.

Experts say that it will not pose a threat to human health, nor will it be transmitted from pigs to humans. A vaccine against this virus has not yet been developed. However, it is important to determine the disease through laboratory testing, which is different from classical swine fever (CSF), which may have symptoms similar to ASF.

How did the current outbreak begin?

According to the latest news released by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the current African swine fever epidemic has also spread to countries such as China, Mongolia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, the Philippines, South Korea, and Indonesia.

In 2018, China confirmed the first ASF outbreak, which has resulted in the culling of more than 1 million pigs so far. In Vietnam, the disease was confirmed in 2019, and more than 6 million pigs have been culled since then.

It is believed that African swine fever entered India from Tibet, into Arunachal Pradesh, and then to Assam, the country with the largest number of pigs. However, the route of infection has not yet been determined.

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