Just one day after the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services in Mokokchung informed the local press of the prevalence of suspected African Swine Fever and Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome in pigs, reports of the district administration in neighbouring Longleng district declaring certain areas of that district as infected and surveillance zones has just come in. It is reported that suspected cases of African Swine Fever was first reported on April 24 and the confirmatory report of the same was received by the Chief Veterinary Officer, Longleng on 11th of May. Being a highly contagious viral disease, it can be safely assumed that the African Swine Fever must have spread all over the district by now. Despite the district administration of Longleng banning the slaughter and sale of pigs, including ban on import and export of pigs or piglets in both the zone and transportation of pigs or piglets in the infected zone with immediate effect till further order, it is observed that the move despite its best intention could prove to be too little too late.
Meanwhile, in Mokokchung, samples have been sent to the North Eastern Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in Guwahati for examination as informed by the department, the results of which are being awaited. In all likelihood, the results will return in the positive because the symptoms were already there. This is a very unfortunate situation although it is not a new one. In Mizoram, a total of 526 pigs are confirmed to have died of the viral disease this year alone, while 111 of them are suspected to have died of the illness. In the last two years, outbreaks were also reported in Assam where 38,700 pigs died over 18 months, and Meghalaya where 300 pigs died. There are also confirmed reports of ASF from across districts of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Tripura. It is observed that the outbreak will subside after taking its toll only to resurface again given its recurring nature.
It is said that there is no remedy for this highly contagious hemorrhagic viral disease, and it has a mortality rate of 100 per cent. Meaning, once the virus infects the pigs, there is no cure and all the pigs that have been infected will die. Therefore, it is strongly felt that the best or most ideal way to counter the ASF is through prevention. And, in order to prevent the pigs from the virus, biosecurity is the most effective way of protecting the pigs from being infected. It is also felt that the department in concern, along with other line agencies, must be proactive and disseminate appropriate information and knowledge through mass media or other means necessary.