Current Context : At least 120 villages in six districts of Mizoram – Aizawl, Champhai, Lunglei, Saitual, Khawzawl and Serchhip have been infected by the African Swine Fever outbreak.
The death toll of pigs crossed to 3,350.
ABOUT AFRICAN SWINE FEVER (ASF):
- ASF is a highly contagious viral disease of domestic and wild pigs.
- Mortality rate can reach 100%.
- The ASF virus is a large, enveloped, double-stranded DNA virus that is the sole member of the genus Asfivirus within the family Asfarviridae.
- Symptoms: fever, weak pigs, lack of appetite, inflamed eye mucous membranes, red skin, (bloody) diarrhea, and vomiting.
- Spread through: Direct contact with infected animals, Indirect contact through the ingestion of products from infected animals, contact with contaminated clothing, vehicles, or equipment and bites by infectious soft ticks (where present).
- The virus is able to survive for long periods in pork and pork meat products.
- In India, it was first confirmed in Arunachal Pradesh and Assamin February-March 2020.
It is endemic to sub-Saharan Africa.