Uglier side of African Swine Fever outbreak emerges
Pig carcasses found floating into Loktak
Source: The Sangai Express

Moirang, October 28 2023: Even as the Government has been putting in all possible effort to contain the outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF), several carcasses of pigs have been found floating at Yangoi Maril, a channel at the mouth of Nambul River which enters Loktak Lake.

Reportedly, about 10 pig carcasses suspected to be ASF infected were first found floating by the fishers near the bridge at Yangoi Karong Ibudhou Yangoi Ningthou.

It is said that the carcasses have reached upto Chapu Khangpok which is situated about 2 kms ahead of Yangoi Karong.

According to the locals, the carcasses might have been dumped about 10 days back and they have started decomposing.

Uglier side of African Swine Fever outbreak emerges

Saying that dismembered parts of pigs could also be seen floating in several areas of Loktak Lake, they added that they now fear to use even the water of the freshwater lake.

Continuing that they depend on the water from Loktak for domestic use too, they appealed to the Government to look into the matter at the earliest.

They also appealed to all concerned to not dump dead or infected animals in water bodies but consult with the relevant department to bury them properly.

Dumping carcasses of infected animals on water bodies or land will increase the chances of disease outbreak apart from contaminating the area, they added.

"We have seen more than 30 carcasses of pigs floating in Loktak, mostly on its eastern side, over the past few days," Oinam Rajen, secretary of All Loktak Lake Fishermen's Union Manipur (ALLAFUM) on Friday, said, reports the Times of India.

"Besides the stench emanating from the highly decomposed dead pigs brought down by the rivers into the lake, many fishermen are reluctant to move near the floating areas on the eastern side of the lake," Rajen said, adding that there might be more such carcasses in other parts of the lake.

On behalf of the Union, Rajen demanded the Government, particularly the VAH Department and the law enforcing agencies to look into the matter and take necessary measures to ensure no dead pigs are thrown into the rivers.

According to the Manipur Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department, ASF has been detected at pig farms in Imphal West, Imphal East, Ukhrul, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching and Kamjong districts.

The latest ASF outbreak has been reported at five new pig farms in Imphal West district's Lilong Chajing Mamang Leikai, Konthoujam Maning Leikai, Loitang Khunou, Luker and Sairemkhul.

According to the notifications issued by the respective district administrations, the particular pig farms from which ASF have been detected as the disease's epicentres, and areas within one km radius of them should be marked as infected zone and areas within 10m km radius from the same as surveillance zone, while the whole areas have been categorized as controlled areas.