Assam yet to get rid of African Swine Fever

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Assam is yet to get rid of the African Swine Fever that broke out in the state in 2020-end. The Directorate of Aminal Husbandry and Veterinary detects new epicentres almost every month.

The Directorate identified eight epicentres in September, leading to the death of 351 and the culling of 366 pigs, affecting 55 families. The eight epicentres are at Afala in Disangmukh in Sivasagar; Rongkangthir in Karbi Anglong; Rongpuria at Jaradhara in Lakhimpur; Bamun Pukhuri-2 in Sonitpur; Bamunjar at Andherighat in Darrang; Sonapur, Deorigaon, Philobari in Tinsukia; Khobang Oil Camp, Talap in Tinsukia and Appin Grant in Hailakandi. Barring the latest eight epicentres, the rest of the epicentres are not active now.

The cumulative number of epicentres of African Swine Fever detected in the state since 2020-end is 94. While 41,486 pigs died of African Swine Fever, the Directorate culled 2,961 pigs in the state since 2020-end. The outbreak of the fever affected 14,164 families of farmers.

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. It, however, does not transmit from pigs to humans.

Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Minister Atul Bora reviewed the issue of helping farmers affected by African Swine Fever with top officials. The meeting also discussed farmers' awareness in detail. Some farmers keep the symptom of the fever in their farms a secret. It causes more death of pigs.

The Directorate provides compensation to the affected farmers against each pig cult, following the guidelines of the Government of India.

Also Read;   AFRICAN SWINE FEVER: Detection of two more epicentres leads to culling

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