Aizawl: A fresh outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) has wreaked havoc across Mizoram, killing more than 1,050 pigs in the districts of Lawngtlai, Mamit, and Siaha since it re-emerged last month, according to officials from the state’s Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department (AHVD). The highly contagious disease, which resurfaced on March 20, has prompted authorities to designate 34 areas within these districts as ASF-infected zones.

Efforts to curb the spread are in full swing, with over 400 pigs and piglets culled as part of containment measures. The outbreak’s origins this year were traced back to Lawngtlai district, which neighbours Myanmar and Bangladesh, with testing at the Northeast Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (NERDDL) in Guwahati confirming the virus. Mamit, bordering Tripura and Bangladesh, and Siaha, adjacent to Myanmar, have also been hit hard, raising concerns due to their proximity to international boundaries.

The state government has intensified its response, implementing strict controls to protect unaffected regions. However, the recurring ASF outbreaks since March 2021 have taken a severe toll on Mizoram’s pig farming community and government facilities, amassing losses of Rs 896.69 crore. Over 62,000 pigs have either perished or been culled in the past few years to combat the disease, which, while harmless to humans, is nearly always fatal to pigs.

Last year alone, the virus claimed 15,000 pigs, with an additional 24,200 culled, resulting in a financial hit of Rs 336.49 crore.