In the wake of reports of mass deaths of pigs due to suspected African Swine Flu in several parts of the state, the Small Town Committee (STC) of the ADC Ukhrul has announced a ban on selling of pork in the district with effect from 7 December.
In an order issued on Friday, Additional CEO, ADC Ukhrul, R Gladys stated that “due to mysterious outbreak of epidemic in Ukhrul district, dealing and selling of pork will be banned with effect from 7 December 2020 until further orders.”
She said that the order was issued in the interest of safeguarding the public health, citing possibility of complications from consumption of pork in the prevailing situation.
Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports are doing the rounds that there have been mysterious deaths of pigs in some parts of Ukhrul and Kamjong districts in the past few days.
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Many residents in the town are growing wary about buying pork from the market, even though pork sellers in the town continued operating their business till Saturday.
When contacted, district veterinary officer (DVO) Dr. Isaac disclosed that the district veterinary department has not received any official reports of the death of pigs from anyone as yet.
“We haven’t received any official reports and it’s hard to say anything about it. But there’s also possibility that pig farmers had submitted such reports directly to our directorate in Imphal,” he said.
Even then, Dr. Isaac suggested that: “in view of the possible outbreak of the epidemic, the authorities concerned should immediately take steps to impose a total ban on import of pigs from outside the district.”
“Along with this, the public should also temporarily desist from consuming pork for some time,” he observed, adding that these simple precautions are the only way to forestall the disease.
It may be mentioned that Ukhrul ranks among the highest pork consumption districts in the state and it depends on imports of pigs from neighbouring states like Nagaland and Assam, and also from Myanmar.