Pigs’ death toll rises to 2,226 in Upper Assam; Minister Atul Bora hints at Chinese link

REPORTERS STORIES

GUWAHATI: The death of 2,226 pigs across six districts of Upper Assam has a Chinese link, suspects State Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Minister Atul Bora.

The Minister told media persons that the infection in the Piggery sector might have originated in China and then affected Arunachal Pradesh. He pointed out that such deaths were first reported in Arunachal Pradesh where pig carcasses were disposed off in the rivers of the Himalayan State. Death of pigs in Assam was reported first from Jonai (in Dhemaji district) through which the Arunachal waters flow. Subsequently, the infection spread to other districts of Upper Assam.

The Minister added, “The affected pigs have not recuperated even after they were administered injections meant for the ‘Classical swine fever’. We are waiting for the results of samples from the National Institute of High Security Animal Disease laboratory in Bhopal.”

He also stated that State veterinary doctors feel that the pigs are infected by the ‘African swine fever’ syndrome.

On April 26, the Assam Government revised its order on imposing a State-wide on sale of pork items following reports of pig flu cases. Minister Atul Bora told reporters on Sunday that the ban would be restricted to the six affected districts namely Biswanath, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Lakhimpur, Sibsagar, and Jorhat.

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