73 cases of pig deaths reported in Meghalaya 24 cases due to African Swine Fever

Pigs-in-Meghalaya

Shillong Aug 13: Meghalaya has reported 73 deaths of pigs, out of which, 24 deaths have been confirmed for African Swine Fever.

Deputy chief minister, Prestone Tynsong told reporters on Thursday the review meeting chaired by chief minister, Conrad K Sangma, discussed about the sign of spread of African Swine Fever in the state.

“We discussed in detail because till today, 73 death cases were reported, out of which, 24 death cases due to African Swine Fever. For the rest 49 deaths, samples have been collected and sent for further investigation,” Tynsong said.

The death of pigs was reported in 12 villages which comprised of East Khasi Hills, Ri-Bhoi, West Jaiñtia Hills, and West Khasi Hills district.

In the review meeting, it was also decided that cases detected in any particular village will be declared containment zone immediately, and a notification is being prepared by the department.

“In those places where infection has taken place, no slaughter of pig will be allowed either for selling or eating,” he said.

Tynsong said that as the source of the fever is from Arunachal and Assam, the state government felt that precautions should be taken because Meghalaya is the neighbor of Assam.

He urged pig traders and butchers to cooperate with the government and follow the orders issued by the government by not transporting pigs from one district to another and from outside Meghalaya, because the transmission of this fever is very fast.