In the last week, Mizoram’s Lunglei district located at the Indo-Bangladesh border suffered the loss of 87 pigs due to infections. Although authorities are confirming the reason for death at the National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), a preliminary investigation suggested a local outbreak of African Swine Fever. This has resulted in the loss of Rs 40 lakh in the livestock sector in the region and also raised cross-border tensions and panic among locals.
Mizoram battled ASW in 2013, 2016, 2018 and 2020, killing thousands of pigs and piglets, causing losses to the tune of Rs10.62 crore.