Mizoram government has banned the import of pigs and piglets especially from Myanmar and the local residents have also mobilized to generate awareness among the people to prevent the outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the border state.
StateDirector of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary department, Hmarkunga said that ASFoutbreak was reported in China and Vietnam and it is feared that it could reachthe state through Myanmar and affect the piggeries.
Thedirector also stated that the disease affects only porcine species of allbreeds and as the state consumes wide range of pork, it has banned the importfrom Myanmar. However, no cases of ASF have been reported so far.
Thedistrict magistrates adjoining Myanmar have issued prohibitory orders againstimporting pigs and piglets from the neighbouring country.
Thedirector further informed that the veterinary officials have been instructed tobeef up vigil in all the districts especially those along the 404 km-long internationalborder with Myanmar.
Thehealth department also instructed the district authorities to ban on import ofpork products such as sausages as traces of ASF were reportedly found in thesausages of Japan.
