Ukhrul veterinary deptt clarifies
Source: Hueiyen News Service / R Lester Makang

Ukhrul, March 15 2015: Even as the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) is imposing a ban on importing of pigs from outside the district since last month as a precautionary measure against Swine Flu, the Ukhrul Veterinary Department has said that consumption of pork has nothing to do with the viral disease.

"As the name suggests, Swine Flu virus known as H1N1 originally came from pigs but the present Swine Flu sweeping parts of the country is no longer related to pig /swine or its meat," said Dr Isaac Raingam, district veterinary officer in an interaction at his office chamber.

He said that Swine flu has become a human disease today and its easy transmission from human to human is becoming a serious concern.

Dr Raingam clarified that pork consumption does not cause the disease.

In cases of a pig infected with H1N1, it is still assumed safe to consume its meat since the virus is not heat resistant and easily is eliminated during heating at boiling point, he maintained.

At the same time, appealing to the town's butchers not to stock dead/diseased meat, Dr Raingam cautioned that such meat not only lacked food value but is harmful for human consumption as well.

He then hastened to advise pork lovers of the district that the meat must be consumed only after cooking it properly.

Meanwhile, following the ban imposed by TNL on pigs import in the district since mid February, the most favourite meat is becoming scarce in the town as butchers have stopped stocking the meat.

"While the ban has been imposed as a precaution, it is desirable that opinion of the concerned authority is sought before making any decision on such matters," Dr Raingam added.

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