A Report on Swine Fever : April 24, 2013
Saidokhum Joute *
File picture of ailing pigs at a piggery :: Pix - TSE
The Director, Vety. & A.H. Services, Manipur has given a detail report of swine fever for publication in the Daily Newspapers during the last few days. It is further stated that, swine fever is basically caused by a virus with 100% mortality in piglets and growers and high mortality in adult pigs which is often confused with other porcine diseases, viz. Swine Erysipelas, Porcine Respiratory and Reproductive Syndrome (PRRS), Piglet/ Porcine Pneumonia and other Viral Porcine diseases.
In order to confirm the disease (Swine Fever), blood samples are to be tested through ELISA Test, AGPT, PCR, Virus Isolation Test, Direct and Indirect Immunofluorescence (IFAT), Histo-Pathological examination of lymph node, spleen, kidney or brain etc., such facilities are unavailable in the laboratory of the Department which are available in reputed Research Centres only.
After learning the alleged occurrence of the disease from daily newspapers, a team of experts/ doctors of the State Disease Investigation Laboratory (D.I.Lab), Sanjenthong, rushed to the spot and collected blood samples from the suspected animals of Heingang, Imphal East and Waikhom Leikai, Imphal West and the same have been despatched immediately to Disease Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Khanapara, Guwahati and the result is being awaited for earliest confirmation. In the mean while, the report given by the on the spot investigation team claims that there was no single carcass (Swine Fever related) to be found for post-mortem.
Following the onset of every monsoon (April, May and June) animal are prone to infection from various diseases. It is an appeal to all farmers that they should be aware of the concept and importance of prior vaccination of livestock in consultation with Registered Veterinary Practitioners and Veterinary Field Assistant of the Department.
It is also pertinent to have knowledge of maintaining the importance of Cold Chain System of vaccine storage and transportation . The Caption of “pak Shanna Yumshasingda Hidak Kapthok Khare” issued by Veterinary Officer, ADC, Chandel in the Local Dailies of NAHAROLGI THOUDANG, HUIYEN LANPAO, and POKNAPAM on the 19th and 20th of April, 2013 may kindly be referred, in which the Veterinary Officer, ADC, Chandel has inoculated 2500 nos. of pigs with Hog Cholera Vaccine of Korean origin and thereby preventing the animals from the disease and also appeal to maintain cold chain in preservation and transportation of vaccines and also to conduct the vaccination processes with only the technical persons.
The Department contacted the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, for the supply of the required quantities of Lapinised Swine Fever Vaccine. However, the required quantity of vaccine could not be obtained since the manufacturing of the vaccine has been abandoned due to unavailability of required Rabbits in the country.
Considering the urgent need and sporadic report of the incidence of the disease in the state, the Department managed to avail few quantities of Hog Cholera vaccine of Korean origin and distributed to the Districts and also there are records of procurement of the same vaccine earlier.
So far, there is no complaint of sickness against the vaccine issued from the Department. The allegation where the pigs vaccinated with Korean Vaccine becomes more sick is baseless. It is to be noted that, the Department, now has been able to procure some thousand doses of Indian origin Swine Fever vaccine from other sources.
Recently, the question of inability of the IVRI, Izatnagar, for the supply of Lapinised Swine Fever Vaccine was raised during the 21st Regional ICAR meeting held on 17th April, 2013 at Jorhat. The Department was advised to submit the annual requirement vaccine of the state and accordingly the Department has submitted the state requirement for the year 2013-2014 to the tune of 2.00 lakhs doses.
Lastly, it may be pointed out that, due to shortage of technical manpower and infrastructure, the Department faced many hindrances for the proper surveillance and control of Animal Diseases. Now, the Department has deposited the required amount for the procurement of 9 (Nine) Veterinary Ambulatory Vehicles during the year 2012-13 to facilitate door step Veterinary Aids in the interior and remote places of the state and rationalization of staff is currently being taken up.
For more details, interested individuals may contact please contact: 0385- 2450224/2447009/ 09436890396 (Mb.)
* Saidokhum Joute wrote this article for Hueiyen Lanpao (English Edition)
The writer is Director, Vety. & A.H. Services, Manipur
This article was posted on April 24, 2013
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