Pig death toll crosses 70 in Ukhrul village
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang
Ukhrul, August 02 2022:
Death toll of farm/domestic pigs in Ukhrul district's Phalee village has crossed 70 as unknown disease continued to stalk the livestock over the past fortnight.
According to Phalee Village Development chairman Elizar Raingam, the number of farm/ domestic pigs destroyed by the infection has crossed 70 in his village since an unknown disease broke out around mid June this year.
He said that death of the animals continued, despite administering antibiotics to the pigs provided by Veterinary department.
"More than 200 pigs have been vaccinated in our village, but even those vaccinated livestock had also died.
The vaccine has proved ineffective against the disease," he said.
The infected animals showed symptoms of body weakness, shiver and loss of appetite, Raingam said adding that the diseased livestock died within three to seven days of acquiring these symptoms.
He said that Hampshire, Yorkshire and mixed breed are the commonly reared species in the village and villagers suspect that the infection could have been spread due to import of livestock from outside, especially Dimapur.
He expressed apprehension that many more pigs are being infected by the disease which continued to destroy the animals.
Raingam, who also owns a pig farm in the village, stated that he keeps around 50 pigs in his farm and of these, 10 pigs have died from the disease.
"The growing rate of mortality of livestock has triggered panic among local pig own ers and farmers who stare at a huge loss.
Most of them are poor farmers and rely on their livestock for livelihood," he said.
On behalf of the aggrieved pig owners, the village development chairman drew the attention of authorities concerned to dispatch veterinary doctors for early identification of the disease in order to protect the remaining livestock.
"We also request the authorities to extend assistance to the poor farmers who have lost their livestock due to the disease," he added.
It is learnt that veterinary office in the village is understaffed without a doctor and is manned by only a field assistant and two attendants.