By Bian Bollivar G Momin
African Swine Fever(ASF) is a highly contagious viral disease that primarily affects domestic pigs and wild boars. It is caused by the ASF virus, a large DNA virus belonging to the Asfarviridae family. The disease is characterized by haemorrhages and immune suppression leading to high morbidity and mortality rates often reaching 90-100% in susceptible animals. Infected animals may exhibit high fever, loss of appetite, weakness and haemorrhagic symptoms such as internal and external bleeding. ASF is non-zoonotic.
IMPACT ON NORTHEASTERN STATES OF INDIA
India has 9 million pigs, of which 45% are in the North eastern (NE) states of India. Viral diseases affecting pigs are a major concern of mortality causing huge loss to the pig farmers. One such disease is African swine fever (ASF) that has already knocked the porous borders of NE states of India. Pig is the only species affected by this virus. Soft ticks (Ornithodoros genus) are shown to be reservoir and transmission vectors of ASFV. Transmission is very rapid and quickly engulfs the entire pig population. It is very difficult to differentiate classical swine fever from ASF since clinical symptoms overlap. Infected and in contact pigs should be culled immediately and buried deep, and sheds and premises be disinfected to control the disease. There is no vaccine available commercially. The disease is a threat to Indian pigs. World Organization For Animal Health (OIE) published the first report of ASF in India on May 21, 2020, wherein, a total of 3701 pigs died from 11 outbreaks (Morbidity – 38.45% and mortality – 33.89%) in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh states of India.
In three major pig farming states of Northeast India that is Assam, Meghalaya and Nagaland a study was conducted during the period of 2020-2024. A total of 200 pig farmers were surveyed (100 from Assam, 50 from Meghalaya and 50 from Nagaland). Data were collected through structured interviews, field observations, and government reports. ASF outbreaks from 2020-2024 total economic losses in pig farming industry were estimated at Rs.80 crore across these regions.
MITIGATION MEASURES IMPLEMENTED
To combat ASF , several mitigation measures were implemented :
- Culling and Disposal of Infected Pigs: Infected and exposed pigs were culled to prevent the spread of the disease. The culling operation was carried out under the supervision of veterinary experts.
- Awareness Campaigns: Extensive awareness campaigns were conducted by Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), the Department of Animal Husbandry, and NGOs. These campaigns educated farmers about ASF symptoms, biosecurity measures, and the importance of reporting outbreaks
- Biosecurity Measures: Farmers were trained in biosecurity practices to reduce the risk of ASF transmission. These included the disinfection of pig enclosures, the use of protective clothing, and restrictions on the movement of pigs.
- Government Compensation Schemes: The Government of India provided compensation for farmers who suffered losses due to ASF, although the compensation was often deemed insufficient by farmers. States like Assam set up specific relief funds to assist affected farmers.
- Improved Surveillance and Testing: Regular surveillance and testing of pig herds were introduced to quickly identify outbreaks and prevent further spread.
CONCLUSION
African Swine Fever has caused significant economic losses in the pig industry of North East India, severely impacting the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. Although various mitigation measures have been implemented, including culling, awareness campaigns, biosecurity training, and government compensation, more needs to be done to prevent further outbreaks. The study suggests that improving surveillance, strengthening biosecurity practices, and providing better financial support for affected farmers will be crucial for minimizing the impact of ASF and rebuilding the region’s pig farming industry. Future research should focus on developing vaccine solutions for ASF and exploring ways to enhance regional cooperation in disease control efforts. Additionally, integrating digital tools for disease monitoring and market access could improve farmers’ resilience to future outbreaks
(The writer is a 3rd Year student of Bvsc & AH College of Veterinary Science & AH, Mizoram)
