Suspected swine flu claims nearly 100 pigs in Ukhrul
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang

Ukhrul, August 31 2023: An unknown deadly disease, suspected to be swine flu, continued to wreak havoc in western Ukhrul, claiming nearly 100 domesticated pigs so far and infecting many more in Ringui village and neighbouring Shirarakhong over the past one month.

In view of the outbreak, the local pig farmers and villagers have urged authorities concerned for immediate attention and necessary measures to contain the disease.

Reports reaching here on Tuesday informed that death of pigs continued till the last few days with over 40 domesticated pigs dead and dozens of the animal infected by the disease in Ringui village, located about 45 km from Ukhrul district town.

Talking to The People's Chronicle over the phone on Tuesday, Phaningmi Shim ray, a pig farmer in Ringui village, informed that he has lost all of his nine pigs including fully-grown ones over the past few weeks.

Shimray, who rears pigs as an occupation to support his family, related that the outbreak of the disease incurred loss to the tune of lakhs of rupees and rendered his household hapless.

Two other pig owners in the village, Joy Makang and AS Tamreiso who lost five young and two mature pigs to the unknown disease, claimed that the disease has been stealthily spreading in the village since about one month back.

According to Joy, the animals first showed symptoms of fever and loss of appetite and within a few days, they developed signs of debility accompanied by shiver and perished in a week or so.

He said that outbreak of the disease is currently sweeping across two localities in the village namely, Tangrei and Rationtang where more than 40 pigs have died so far and many others are being infected with thin survival chances.

"Some cases of similar infection have also started at other locations in the village with the sudden death of a pig and others being infected at Alungtang locality," he added.

Considering the dire situation due to the infection, the pig farmers arid local villagers have appealed to the relevant authorities to look into the situation and initiate necessary measures.

"We request the government authorities to dispatch a veterinary team and examine the infected pigs and identify the cause and provide necessary medications so as to contain the outbreak," Tamreiso pleaded.

They also expressed concern over certain pig owners slaughtering their pigs and selling them for public consumption before the animals get the infection.

They claimed that the public was unaware whether the pigs were already infected but not showing any symptoms.

"People don't even know if there are any health hazards from consuming the meats which were not examined by the experts," they added.

Meanwhile, reports of similar infection killing dozens of domesticated pigs in neighbouring Shirarakhong village have also been received, raising concern over the possibility of the disease spreading fast in the region.

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