Carcasses of pigs floating into Loktak triggers fear of virus mutating and infecting Sangai
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 29 2023: Carcasses of pigs found floating in Loktak lake amid African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak in Manipur has set an alarm about possible infection among the wild pigs population in the Keibul Lamjao National Park, said People for Animals.

African Swine Fever is a highly contagious and deadly swine/pig disease.

Unhygienic disposal of dead and infected pigs in the rivers and lake is unfortunate and is a cause of concern for a wider spread of the deadly swine disease, said PFA in a statement.

Disposing of infected dead pigs in the rivers and in Loktak lake contaminates the water and it may spread the disease even more, PFA said, adding it will treat individuals disposing of dead pigs in rivers and lakes as public enemies.

Carcasses of pigs floating into Loktak triggers fear of virus mutating and infecting Sangai

The African Swine Fever can infect both domestic and wild pigs.

African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) that causes the African Swine Fever can remain in the body tissues of an infected pig after its death for a long time, especially during the winter season.

Disposing of the carcasses of the infected pigs into the rivers, lakes and other water bodies is a serious cause of concern.

Domestic and wild pigs which consume the contaminated water may get infected.

African Swine Fever is a highly contagious disease reaching 100 percent death rate.

The wild pigs population in the Keibul Lamjao National Park on the Loktak lake are vulnerable to ASF, People for Animals said.

Accordingly, Wildlife Institute of India's Sangai Project Principal Investigator Dr Syed Ainul Hussain has expressed serious concern, said PFA.

According to the Principal Investigator, African Swine Fever (ASF) infects pigs only, but mutation may occur and a new strand of the virus may emerge which can infect Sangai, other wildlife and even humans, said PFA.

There have been mutations and the coronavirus which caused COVID-19 pandemic has evolved many times.

Such a mutation may occur with the ASF, and hence care should be taken to control and curb the spread at the earliest, the Sangai Project Principal Investigator told PFA.

Any infection among the wild pig population in the Keibul Lamjao National Park may pose a threat to the Sangai population (brow antlered deers), said Dr Syed Ainul Hussain.

Sangai deers use homes built by wild pigs as laying ground for giving birth.

The wild pigs build homes with twigs and grasses, The houses have roofs made of grasses and twigs.

The Sangai use these homes when abandoned by the wild pigs to lay and give birth.

As such, the wild pigs' survival is crucial for the Sangai as well, said Dr Syed Ainul Hussain.

The Veterinary Department should strengthen its measures to control and curb the ASF outbreak, the Principal Investigator told PFA.

Further, the People for Animals (PFA) said people shouldn't eat them (infected pigs) just because it doesn't harm humans.

African Swine Fever doesn't harm humans, but handling the infected dead pigs without precaution can cause the disease to spread to animals not yet infected.

The virus in the body tissues, muscles, blood of infected pigs may get transferred and spread to healthy pigs by humans, PFA said.

It said people should timely inform the Veterinary Department and district administration for proper disposal of dead pigs.

If anyone found people disposing pigs randomly without following protocol, they may contact PFA for response on mobile number 9862107063, it said, urging local clubs and Meira Paibis to sensitise locals on the issue and keep strict vigil.

In a similar vein, the Manipur Progressive Pig Farmers Association (MPPFA) has urged the public to avoid disposing of dead pigs into rivers and lakes.

Speaking to reporters at Manipur Press Club, MPPFA joint secretary L Vidyasagar appealed to the public and pig farmers to inform the Veterinary Department timely about deaths of pigs and illness.

He said pig farmers should cooperate and offer no objection to the Veterinary Department culling pigs within one kilometre radius of ASF epicentres.

Farmers shouldn't give away or sell infected and dead pigs at dirt cheap prices in their localities.

The Veterinary Department must be contacted at once to properly handle and dispose of the dead pigs, he said.

Vidyasagar claims 90 percent of pigs have been killed in Manipur, and there is hardly any left for breeding.

Amid the ASF outbreak, people shouldn't bring in pigs or pork from outside States, and meat shops should not sell infected pork, he said.

He urged the Veterinary Department to collect samples from slaughterhouses and meat shops and test them for ASF.

The ASF outbreak in Manipur has affected almost all farmers.

In such a hard time, it has been found that there is no insurance company in Manipur that can give insurance on livestock, he claimed.

Notably, a few days back, Veterinary Minister Khashim Vashum had urged farmers to avail livestock insurance to cover for their losses in times of disasters.

"There is no company in Manipur that gives livestock insurance to farmers.

This is unfortunate.

Government and authorities concerned should look into this," Vidyasagar said.

Vidyasagar continued that the ASF has no vaccine and as such, livestock insurance does not cover ASF.

On the other hand, the National Action Plan for Control, Containment and Eradication clearly mentions provisions for compensation in case of ASF, he said.

He urged the Government to make livestock insurance cover the ASF also.