Mizoram bans import of pigs from Myanmar, Bangladesh

Aizawl: Prohibitory orders banning import of pigs and piglets from neighbouring Myanmar and Bangladesh were on Thursday issued in Mizoram’s southernmost Lawngtlai district. An official statement said that the District Magistrate of Lawngtlai, Dr A. Muthamma issued the order banning import of pigs and piglets from Myanmar and Bangladesh for two months. The order was issued following reports that pigs and piglets were getting infected with the dreaded Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) and classical swine fever. The order was issued as prevention of further spread of the diseases in the district as well as other parts of the state. PRRS, which hit the state in endemic proportions, resulted in the death of more than 3,000 pigs and piglets in 2013 and more than 4,000 pigs and piglets in 2016. Experts said that PRRS spread from piglets imported from Myanmar as the dreaded disease was prevalent in that country. (PTI)