African Swine Flu kills 39,340 pigs since 2020 in Assam

Guwahati: Around 39,340 pigs, including wild pigs, died of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Assam since April 2020, government data said. Given that World Bank-aided Assam Agribusiness and Rural Transformation Project (APART) decided to utilize a part of its project loan to manage ASF in the state.

The speakers at a workshop on African Swine Flu Management Planning held at the Administrative Staff College, Khanapara said, "Since the disease (ASF) is new, technical support from international experts experienced in ASF Research and Management is needed to design and draft an effective ASF control and management plan." The ARIAS Society and the World Bank have engaged an international livestock research institute as the lead knowledge partner to plan and design the ASF control plan for Assam with support from national and international experts.

The event was jointly organized by Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Department, Government of Assam, Assam Rural Infrastructure and Agricultural Services (ARIAS) Society and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI).

Participants were from the northeastern states, Ministry of Fishery, Animal Husbandry and ICAR.

State Veterinary Minister Atul Bora was also present at the opening session.

The key objective of the workshop is to discuss the existing control and management approaches of ASF and the experience gained for a future approach. The Deputy Director General (Biosciences), ILRI Dr Dieter Schillinger has discussed the present situation of ASF, a highly infectious and fatal disease of pigs causing mortality up to 100%. Keeping this in view, the Senior Agricultural Economist of World Bank Mr Bekzod Shamsier highlighted the need for technical support from International Experts experienced in ASF research and management for the proper design and draft of an effective ASF control and management plan.

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