Mizoram likely to declare ‘state disaster’ over African swine fever outbreak

The government in Mizoram is likely to declare a ‘state disaster’ over an outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) which has killed over 37,000 pigs.

Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga has given his nod to declare the outbreak as a state disaster, State Animal Husbandry and Veterinary minister Dr K Beichhua.

An official notification is expected to be released soon. The ASF has affected over 50 villages in seven districts of the state.

More than 37,000 pigs have died due to ASF since March, 2021, causing huge monetary losses, the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary department data released on May 25 revealed.

At least 14,174 pigs have been culled to prevent the outbreak from further spreading. As many as 3,890 pigs have died and 3,264 culled due to ASF since February this year, the data said.

The minister said that the government has received funds to compensate farmers for their culled pigs.