Myanmar Pigs Banned in Manipur

Imphal, Jul 1 : Following the outbreak of a fatal livestock disease in Myanmar, the import of pigs and pork from the neighboring country to Manipur has been banned. Although there is a huge demand for pigs imported from the neighbouring country, the import ban has not immediately hiked the price of pork in the state capital.

Manipur shares an over 350 km-long border with Myanmar and the construction a 10-km fence is underway at Moreh town in Chandel district of the state.

An outbreak of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) or the 'blue-ear disease' was reported in Myanmar's Naypyidaw district in early April this year, according to the neighbouring country's animal husbandry and veterinary department. In early June, it was reported to have spread to cattle and other domesticated animals, including cats and dogs.

Official sources said the WHO informed the Centre about the outbreak of PRRS in Myanmar after it was confirmed by the Office of International Epizooties, Italy. Following the instructions of the central authorities to all northeastern states, Manipur's veterinary and animal husbandry department imposed a ban on the import of pigs and pork from the neighboring country through the border town of Moreh and other 'unofficial' connecting routes through Ukhrul and Churachandpur districts.

Security agencies have also been asked to check the flow of Myanmarese livestock into the northeast states.

Sources said the state animal husbandry and veterinary department has been doing its best for the last few weeks to prevent the livestock disease from spreading to Manipur.

Pigs infected by PRSS suddenly lose appetite and, in some cases, pregnant pigs suffer miscarriages, the sources said. The disease was first reported in the US way back in 1987 and was then known as the 'mystery reproductive syndrome' or the 'mystery swine disease'.

Notwithstanding the outbreak of the disease, there have been no reports of the disease affecting the livestock in Manipur or of it spreading to human beings.