Pig deaths in Dimapur could be due to other diseases, says expert

Our Reporter
Dimapur, June 20 (EMN): The results of the sample tests taken from pigs found dead in Dimapur for suspected African swine fever (ASF) are still awaited, while the results of few samples received so far have turned out to be negative for the disease, updated Dr. Khriekuolie Linyü, Joint Director of ASF Core Committee Convenor on Monday.

However, she told Eastern Mirror that the cause of pig deaths could be due other diseases like classical swine fever or porcine parvovirus, as there are numerous diseases in pigs that are curable, unlike ASF.

Dr. Linyü said that testing is done at National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal for free.

Lamenting people not reporting deaths of pigs to the department, she said ‘unless and until they do, they cannot go and collect the samples for laboratory testing’.

Following the first confirmatory report of ASF from Tangha village in Longleng district on May 11, the Nagaland Directorate of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services (AH&VS) had confirmed an ASF outbreak in Mokokchung and Phek districts as well on May 20, prompting the authorities to ban slaughtering and sale of pigs in the affected areas.

Kohima also reported death of pigs from symptoms similar to the disease last month but the authorities are yet to confirm on the cause of the fatality.