November 26, 2024

Mizoram, India records decline in ASF swine deaths

Mizoram, India, reported no swine deaths since the fresh outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) this year.

Officials recorded only one culling in Serchhip district, offering hope that the disease might be contained with the onset of winter.

Since the beginning of the outbreak, ASF has claimed the lives of 14,741 swine this year, with 256 villages declared as infected. The number of infected swine culled rose to 24,028 during the same period, according to India's Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department.

The first case of ASF in Mizoram was detected on 21 March 2021 in Lungsen village, located along the Bangladesh border in Lunglei district. In that year, the state recorded at least 33,417 swine deaths due to the disease, while 12,568 swine were culled to prevent its spread.

Animal husbandry and veterinary officials remain optimistic that the arrival of winter will aid efforts to control the outbreak.

-      The Times of India