Aizawl/ New Delhi (Mizzima) - The death of several hundred pigs in the Indian state of Mizoram, contiguous to Burma has caused alarm and spread panic among local residents, who believe the death could be from type A(H1N1) virus.
But the state’s Director for Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Department Dr. C. Sangnghina said, the pigs died from normal Swine Fever and not from type A(H1N1) virus.
However, with the news of spreading A(H1N1) virus in several other countries, people in Mizoram are concerned that their state could be affected. People by and large have stopped eating pork.
“It is quite obvious that people will be worried as the news of the outbreak of this virus is spreading. But so far there are no instances of the A(H1N1) virus in Mizoram,” Dr. Sangnghina told Mizzima.
He said samples from the dead pigs were sent to a laboratory in Kolkata and Bihar. It has been confirmed that it was normal swine fever.
He said the state government and health department is taking precautionary measures by setting up check-points at entry gates into the state and also by informing the public to avoid contact with pigs and to stop eating pork.
But since the A(H1N1) virus cannot be possibly detected before a laboratory examination, he said it is still possible that the virus could enter the state from other parts including the Burmese border, where bilateral as well as traditional trade and communication is on.
“But so far, since there is no outbreak of the virus in Myanmar [Burma], I don’t think there is anything to worry about,” he added.
Mizoram, which shares a porous border with Burma’s Chin state, is a popular destination for Burmese traders, who also trade in animals.
Earlier in June, Mizoram authorities banned import of pigs from Burma to prevent spread of the deadly virus through pigs.
“All legal entry points are checked but if traders come illegally, that is difficult to check,” said Dr. Sangnghina.
To avoid paying trade taxes, many traders illegally smuggle in goods and commodities including animals.
In Mizoram capital Aizawl, a local butcher said, the sales of pork have fallen drastically following rumours of an outbreak of A(H1N1) virus.
With the death of several pigs in Mizoram, piggeries are trying to sell-off their pigs but due to lack of consumers, it is becoming a tall order.
“Most customers nowadays have stopped eating pork, and I am also scared to make pork curry in my shop,” a Burmese restaurant owner in Aizawl town told Mizzima.
According to Dr. Sangnghina, the Swine Fever, which is spreading fast in parts of the state, has originated from Burma.
He said, an international non-governmental organisation, ‘Save The Children’, as support to rural farmers, had bought pigs for their farms. And the pigs were brought in from Burma by traders.
“The first case of Swine Fever was detected among the pigs that have been brought from Myanmar [Burma],” the doctor said.
“Clinically, Swine Fever is more lethal than A(H1N1) virus, as it kills the pigs. But the A(H1N1) virus does not immediately kill,” he added.
