Assam is facing a swine flu crisis which has reportedly killed over 15,000 pigs in the northeastern state. According to an ANI report, the state government is planning to cull pigs to avoid further infection.
Despite the government taking measures to contain the infection, the disease is spreading to other areas and a high alert has been ordered by the government in 10 districts which are affected by the African swine flu.?
To deal with the problem, the Assam government has also sought Rs 144 crore relief package from the Centre for farmers whose livelihoods come from rearing pigs.?
Assam Animal Husbandry Minister, Atul Bora, said, "We are very much concerned about the swine flu crisis in the state. Ten districts are already affected by the disease and the death of pigs is increasing every day. Over 14,000 pigs are already dead and the number is on the rise. We have alerted the Centre about this."
He added that initially only 6 districts were affected by the disease but now the infection has spread to a total of 10 districts. He said,?"Despite taking all measures to prevent the spread, the disease is spreading to newer areas. So we are discussing new approaches to contain this."
For domesticated pigs, the rate of mortality is 100 percent if they get infected with African swine fever. The report further added that till now there has been no case where humans have caught the disease.
Bora also said, "The state government has also adopted biosecurity measures to contain its spread. The area under one-kilometre radius has been declared containment zone and 10-kilometre radius as surveillance zone."
Looks like 2020 is not done yet.?