Aizawl: Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Minister of Mizoram Dr K Beichhua Thursday reached Lungsen village, the site of the ongoing swine fever crisis that has claimed the lives of 276 pigs since March 21, 2021. Lungsen village is located at Lunglei District in southern Mizoram, 57 km away from the District capital Lunglei, and 35 km away from Tlabung town, the main commercial hub along the Indo-Bangladesh border in Lunglei District.
The Minister was accompanied by top officials of the AH&Vety Department including Director Dr H Laltlanmawia and Deputy Director Dr C Lalrintluanga. Lunglei DC Pu Kulothungan A and other District officials also joined in from Lunglei.
The Minister thanked officials, VCs and NGOs for their tireless efforts in containing the virus since its outbreak on March 21. Measures to contain the spread of the highly infectious virus need to be continued on a war footing, he added.
The Minister handed over cash assistance of Rs 20,000/- each to the three YMA Branches in Lungsen village. The three branches have each set up separate burial grounds on the outskirts of Lungsen village, with volunteers stepping out for mass burials at designated hours. Due to the daily increase in swine deaths, JCB Earthmovers were used to dig out burial pits in advance at these burial grounds. The Minister and his team visited these burial grounds, inspecting the safety measures being taken while burying the pig carcass.
A five-member Disease Investigation Team from Aizawl, led by Dr M Zohmingthangi, Deputy Director AH&Vety (Disease Investigation & Epidemiology) has camped out in the village since Monday (05/04/2021). The team is studying the on-ground situation, and educating villagers in and around Lungsen village of the various precautionary steps needed to be taken amid the crisis, including proper burial method of infected pig carcass, and the importance of cleaning and disinfection. The team has also distributed gloves, Sodium hypochlorite, potassium permanganate and cash assistance of Rs. 7000/- each to the 3 YMA Branches within Lungsen village.
The infected pigs at Lungsen village have developed symptoms such as vomiting, lethargy, anorexia, bluish discolouration of the abdomen, and fever. These symptoms are indicative of AFS according to AH&Vety officials.
Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) Tlabung, Dr K Lalhlimpuii had earlier on April 1, declared Lungsen as an ‘Infected Area’ under Section 20 of The Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009.
Tlabung SDO (C) and BDO Lungsen Pu Lalsanglura also issued a prohibitory order under section 144 of the CrPC for two months from April 2. The order prohibits the movement of pigs to and from Lungsen village
AH&Vety Secretary Pi Lalzarmawii also issued a notification on April 6, declaring Lunglei District excluding Lungsen Village as a Controlled/Surveillance Zone/Area in order to contain and prevent the spread of the present disease outbreak highly suspected to be African Swine Fever.
The AH&Vety Minister will conduct a meeting with Lunglei District officials tomorrow at the office chamber of the Deputy Commissioner to devise a further plan of action and containment measures.
