An estimated 2,379 pigs died of deadly swine disease, medically called Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), in the Mizoram-Myanmar border Champhai district till today, Champhai Area Vawk vulh Association (CAVVA) or Champhai pig rearers association leaders said.
The pigs were believed to have been infected with the virus from pigs imported from Myanmar, veterinarians said.
Official sources confirmed the development but did not corroborate the death toll cited by the Pig Rearers' Association.
The sources said a meeting, convened by Aizawl District Deputy Commissioner Kannan Gopinathan and attended by officials of the state Animal Husbandry and Veterinary department and experts at the College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, decided that the Aizawl district administration would issue order prohibiting import of pigs and piglets from Myanmar.
K. Zamlova of the CAVVA said that there were more than 5,000 pigs still surviving in Champhai town and surrounding areas even as many of them were taken sick after being infected with the PRRS.
Champhai District Veterinary Officer Dr Lalchungunga Pudaite told PTI over phone that though there is no vaccination and specific treatment for the PRRS, some of the infected pigs responded to antibiotics.
