Pig deaths not due to African swine fever

SHILLONG: Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary GMRK Marak has clarified that the death of pigs is not due to African swine fever and actual reason is yet to be ascertained.
Commenting on the death of four pigs in Mawphlang, East Khasi Hills and six pigs in Umsning region, Ri Bhoi, Marak said these deaths occurred during the months of March and April and the cause of deaths appears to be not related to African swine fever.
Later, speaking to reporters, Deputy Chief Minister in-charge of the department, Prestone Tynsong also informed that there is no single case of African swine fever in the state till date.
On the report that the disease may be of hog cholera /classical swine fever, Marak said the department has collected samples and they were sent to ICAR, Umiam for laboratory confirmation.
“However, the department has taken the matter seriously in order to prevent the entry of the devastating disease into Meghalaya as it has high percentage of mortality”, the official said.
The department has also made arrangement to tackle the disease with the formation of Rapid Response Team, creation of public awareness through distribution of pamphlets and directed all the district animal husbandry and veterinary officers to conduct intensive surveillance and monitoring.
“Import of pigs and pig products from outside the state and inter-district movement of pigs is banned. Advisories have also been circulated to all government and private pig farmers. The same is made available in the website of the department megahvt.gov.in”, Marak added.Tynsong said that the samples of 25 pigs were taken out of which the state received the reports of eight which are negative and therefore the state has not registered a single positive case of African swine fever. “It is a local disease which is not serious but we are awaiting some more reports,” he added.
He expressed hope that the state will remain free of swine fever. As per reports, the Khasi Jaintia Pig Association has decided to stop selling of pork for the next two weeks from May 6 in the eastern part of state.