Unknown diseases stalk pigs, poultry in Ukhrul
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang
Ukhrul, July 27 2023:
Residents of Ukhrul town are facing an alarming outbreak of an unknown disease, which is causing the sudden death of domestic pigs and poultry.
Over 10 pigs and 25 poultry chickens have died so far in the Hamleikhong Block-D and 7th Finance area of the town, raising serious concerns among the owners and residents of the township.
On Thursday, local committee of Hamleikhong Block-D petitioned the district veterinary department for necessary measures to contain the Outbreak.
The aggrieved owners are waiting for the district veterinary department to provide necessary measures to contain the outbreak and help them get back on their feet.
One pig owner Bliss Ning shen informed The People's Chronicle that the department has been urged to take samples of the ailing pigs but has not responded till Thursday evening.
She said that her household had three mature pigs, but suddenly two of them died in the past few days and the third is also sick and in critical condition.
According to Bliss, the animals died in 3/4 days after showing symptoms of loss of appetite, shivering, fever, runny nose and passing blood and red urine.
Bliss who has reared pigs for over 20 years said that she was baffled at the sudden outbreak because it was the first time she came across such outbreak, adding that the cause of the mysterious disease is unknown.
Pigs are one of the main sources of income for many in the district and the owners have suffered major financial losses due to the outbreak.
Bliss further stated that the outbreak has cost her family around Rs 80,000 -90,000, with the two pigs worth Rs 35,000 to 45,000 each while the third one too is unlikely to survive.
She informed that many more pigs have succumbed to the unknown disease and added the epidemic has put a great strain on the local pig farmers and people in her neighbourhood are worried about the health of their beloved piglets.
She further appealed to the department to find out the cause and take all the necessary measures to contain the outbreak and provide relief to the affected.
Meanwhile, affected poultry owners Wungchan of Hamleikhong Block -D and Raiping Ragui of 7th Finance localities have said that they have lost five and 20 Layer chickens each due to unknown diseases in the past few days.