AIZAWL, April 23 - Mizoram has banned the import of pigs and piglets from neighbouring States and countries, especially from Myanmar, following the outbreak of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) and Classical Swine Flu (CSF) in Lunglei, Serchhip and other districts.
Lunglei District Magistrate Benjamin Lalzama today issued an order banning import of pigs and piglets from outside the State as a precautionary measure to prevent spread of the outbreak. The order also prohibited sale and purchase of pigs to other places from Lunglei district. He also asked all pig farmers to immediately bury their dead pigs.
The State Government, meanwhile, also imposed a ban on inter-village or district transportation of pigs. The order warned pig farmers not to sell ailing pigs in the market and asked butchers to sell only hygienic meat.
The order was issued as a preventive measure against spread of the diseases, and any violator was liable to be punished under section 188 of Indian Penal Code, the order said.
More than 1,300 pigs and piglets have died in Mizoram in the last few weeks due to the outbreak, officials said.
The figure was based on the latest weekly reports received from eight districts till April 19, according to Dr Hmarkunga, Joint Director, Mizoram Animal Husbandry and Veterinary department.
He said that over 2,600 pigs and piglets have been infected with PRRS and CSF in different parts of the State and over 80 villages have also been affected by the two diseases.
Meanwhile, the outbreak of PRRS and CSF has badly affected the pork market in Aizawl as many families refrained from buying the meat. Pork is a favourite meat of the Mizos.
A butcher in Aizawl�s main market said his sales have drastically declined since last week as people refused to consume pork. PRRS also hit Mizoram in 2013 and 2016. More than 3,000 pigs and piglets died in 2013 and over 4,000 in 2016.
PRRS is caused by a virus known as arterivirus which can be propagated through respiration, intercourse and artificial insemination, officials said. As there is no vaccine for the viral diseases, drugs to prevent secondary bacterial infections have been administered to the affected pigs, Mizoram Animal Husbandry and Veterinary department said.
