Correspondent, Assam Tribune
AIZAWL, May 2: The third
outbreak of Porcine Reproductive
& Respiratory Syndrome
(PRSS) in Mizoram
has killed at least 1,473 pigs,
while the virus has spread to
91 villages.
Animal Husbandry and
Veterinary officials said that
the PRRS outbreak was first
detected in Champhai district
bordering Myanmar
when some pigs died on
March 16. The cause of
death was confirmed to be
PRRS on March 21.
Since then, the death of at
least 1,473 pigs has been reported
from different districts,
the Joint Director (Livestock Health) of the
State Animal Husbandry and
Veterinary Department, Dr
Hmarkunga, said. He, however,
added that all the pig
deaths have not been caused
by PRRS alone, but also by
classical swine fever (CSF).
He said teams of veterinary
doctors have been sent to the
affected areas to take stock of
the situation. Prohibition has
been imposed on the import
of pigs from Myanmar and export
of the animals from the
affected districts.
The department is taking
steps to contain the virus.
Officials said the virus has not
spread further. They added
that over 3,185 pigs and piglets
have so far been infected
with PRRS and CSF in different
parts of the State.
The outbreak has hit pork
markets in Aizawl as many
families have refrained from
buying the meat. Pork is a
favourite among indigenous
Mizos.
PRRS had also hit Mizoram
in 2013 and 2016. More
than 3,000 pigs and piglets
died in 2013 and over 4,000
pigs were culled after the
outbreak in 2016. PRRS is
caused by a virus known as
arterivirus, which can propagate
through respiration,
intercourse and artificial insemination.
Drugs to prevent
secondary bacterial infection
were administered to the sick
swine, officials said.
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