A renewed outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) has resulted in the deaths of more than 1,050 pigs across three districts in Mizoram — Lawngtlai, Mamit, and Siaha — since the virus resurfaced last month. Officials from the state’s Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department (AHVD) confirmed the alarming figures.
According to the department, 34 localities within the affected districts have been officially declared ASF-infected zones. In an effort to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread, the government has initiated strict control measures, including culling operations. So far, over 400 pigs and piglets have been culled as part of the containment strategy.
The latest wave of infections was confirmed on March 20 through diagnostic testing conducted at the Northeast Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (NERDDL) in Guwahati. The state government has since intensified monitoring and containment efforts to safeguard unaffected areas from potential exposure.
Despite these efforts, the recurrence of ASF in Mizoram has caused severe financial losses to both private pig farmers and state-run farms. Since the initial major outbreak in March 2021, the state has reported cumulative economic losses amounting to ₹896.69 crore. In total, over 62,000 pigs have either died or been culled as a result of the disease.
The first confirmed ASF case in 2024 was reported on February 9 in Leithum village of Champhai district, which shares an unfenced border with Myanmar, raising concerns about cross-border disease transmission.
While ASF poses no threat to humans, it remains highly contagious and almost always fatal for pigs. The virus continues to jeopardise Mizoram’s pig-rearing economy, which forms a crucial part of rural livelihoods.
The state government has provided financial compensation to hundreds of affected families. However, authorities remain deeply concerned about the disease’s continued presence in the region and its devastating impact on the livestock sector.
Year-wise data highlights the escalating impact:
In 2021, 33,417 pigs died and 12,568 were culled.
In 2022, 12,795 pigs died and 11,686 were culled.
In 2023, 1,139 pigs died and 980 were culled.
Last year alone, the virus claimed 15,000 lives and led to the culling of 24,200 pigs, causing a loss of ₹336.49 crore.
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