African Swine Flu spreading to new districts, says Atul Bora

GUWAHATI: The African Swine Flu (AFS) has so claimed lives of 14,919 pigs and the number is increasing. The fatal disease has also spread to new districts including Kamrup Metropolitan.

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, State Veterinary Minister Atul Bora said AFS has also adversely affected the State's economy and the loss is estimated to be around thousand crores of rupees. He pointed out that 30 lakh people in the State are associated with the piggery sector.

Minister Bora further said that he has already discussed with Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and the Central Government to explore the possibility of announcing an economic package for those associated with piggery. He said the CM has also discussed the matter with the Centre.

The Minister also said that the situation in Kaziranga National Park (KNP) and nearby areas is being closely monitored by the Park authorities. "Kaziranga has wild boars and people in nearby areas of the park keep domestic pigs. If both species mix up, the situation might turn risky and ASF would spread very fast," he said. Kaziranga has 15,000 wild boar population. 

Bora had earlier said that ASF might have come from China through Arunachal Pradesh or Myanmar. According to a 2019 Census by the Veterinary department, the pig population in the State was 21 lakh which has increased to around 30 lakh in recent times.

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