African Swine Flu Attacks India; Fearing Spread, 2500 Pigs Killed in Assam!

On Sunday, the government of Assam confirmed that the African Swine Flu has been detected in more than 306 villages. The disease has killed more than 2,500 pigs in the aforementioned number of villages, hence pushing both the centre and the state to actively work on curbing the spread of the virus.

While India is already fighting the spread of the novel coronavirus, which is believed to have spread from the People’s Republic of China, the African Swine Flu which has now been detected in India also seems to have transcended the borders of China. "The disease was detected during the last part of February. However, it started in April 2019 in China at a village of Xizang province bordering Arunachal Pradesh. It is suspected that the disease crossed over to Arunachal Pradesh and then reached Assam," Assam Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Minister Atul Bora said at a press conference.

"The virus spreads through pig's meat, saliva, blood and tissue. So there will be no transportation of pigs between districts. We will also check what can be done to the pigs passing through our state,” added Bora.

Although the disease has spread widely and the centre has allowed the state to slaughter the pigs, Bora who is considering an alternative measure said, “We have discussed with experts if we can save the pigs without culling them. The death percentage of the pigs affected by the disease is almost 100 per cent. So we have made some strategies to save the pigs, which are not affected by the virus.”

Since this disease does not affect humans, the state is taking active measures to make sure that the consumption of pork is limited from districts where pigs are not infected.