A CORRESPONDENT
KALAIGAON: A total of 52 pigs and piglets have died due to African Swine Fever (ASF) since its recurrence in October this year. District Veterinary Officer of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary of Udalguri, Dr Nagen Ch. Kalita stated on Friday that 52 pigs died in October due to ASF. So far, 64 pigs have been culled to prevent further spread of ASF, DVO Dr Nagen Ch. Kalita said. He added that the farmers who lost pigs due to ASF would be compensated for their losses once the outbreak was declared a disaster.
The farmers of Udalguri Farmers' Cooperative Society of Jangle Borigaon under Udalguri Development Block have lost their pigs due to ASF and the veterinary department was compelled to cull the pigs to prevent the disease. According to Dr Kalita, African Swine Fever has no vaccine. When one pig gets infected, the fever infects other pigs, leading to death. The mortality rate of this fever is 100 per cent. It has no cure other than culling. He added, "It, however, does not transmit from pigs to humans."
The highly contagious pig disease has currently affected two villages - No.3 Simliguri and Jangle Borigaon - in the Udalguri district. The pigs and piglets were culled at Jangle Borigaon on Friday in presence of Dr Prafulla Konwar and Dr Sangeeta Baro. Dr Sulabh Sarma also cooperated with other veterinary officials in this culling programme on Friday.
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