Guwahati, Sept 08: Assam’s battle against African Swine Fever (ASF) persists as veterinarians discover new outbreaks of the disease, adding to the existing 135 epicenters that have already claimed the lives of more than 44,000 pigs. This ongoing issue, which first emerged in the state in 2020, highlights the challenges faced in controlling ASF due to the absence of a proven vaccine, resulting in a 100 percent mortality rate among infected pigs.
The State Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department acknowledges that the lack of an effective vaccine is a major obstacle in combating ASF, which has led to such a high number of pig deaths in Assam.
Recent reports indicate that veterinarians have identified two new epicenters of ASF: one in Lamugaon, Lakhimpur district, and another in Bunargaon, Biswanath district. In the absence of a remedy, veterinarians have initiated culling operations in Lamugaon, and similar measures are planned for Bunargaon.
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Farmers receive compensation for pigs culled by the department, but they do not receive any compensation for pigs that succumb to the fever on their own. The over 44,000 pig deaths in the state are attributed to natural causes linked to African Swine Fever, leaving farmers with significant financial losses.
The disease has had a devastating impact on farmers, who have suffered substantial economic losses. However, some farmers argue that the compensation provided by the government falls short of the actual value of a pig. As per government regulations, farmers are entitled to compensation ranging from Rs 2,200 to Rs 15,000 per pig, based on its size. Farmers, on the other hand, assert that a fully grown pig can fetch prices of Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000 in the market.
African Swine Fever first appeared in Assam in 2020, just before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In May 2020, the Government of India officially confirmed the presence of the disease, identifying it as African Swine Fever.
The ongoing struggle with African Swine Fever underscores the need for continued efforts to control and manage the disease effectively, along with support for affected farmers who have faced significant economic losses due to this devastating outbreak.
