After bird flu scare, pig disease grips Mizoram

Aizawl, Mar 17: Hardly has the bird flu scare died down in the region, a pig disease is now stalking the state leaving more than 1000 pigs dead.

The Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department has identified the disease as ''swine fever'' and ruled out any relationship of this disease with the dreaded bird influenza.

Talking to sources here today (Mar 17, 2006), Animal Husbandary and Veterinary Director Dr C Sanghania said, ''We have collected blood samples and have sent them to laboratories outside the state. We are waiting for the verifiction of what we understand to be as swine fever''.

The official also denied the rumours that the pigs died because of the bird flu.

''Although pigs are also vectors of the avian influenza, they are not susceptible to the disease. The disease that is killing these pigs is rather the swine fever, which has been found in Mizoram as early as 1987,'' the director added.

Dr Sanghania also assured that it is still safe to consume pork and chickens and said the state would be hardly hit by bird flu since migratory birds do not visit Mizoram.

The officials believe that the disease has been transmitted through the pigs imported form Myanmar.

They assured the people that strict vigil is on at the Indo-Myanmar border to ensure that no animals are being imported.

UNI