African Swine Fever has affected pigs at mass in the Northeastern region and Manipur is not being spared by the virus. There have been several reports of mass death of pigs from the farmers of different districts of Manipur like Ukhrul, Kakching, Bishnupur, Imphal East, and Imphal West over the past one and half months.

As a precautionary measure after hearing the history, clinical signs, and symptoms of the disease, the College of Agriculture Iroisemba in Imphal, a constituent college under Central Agricultural University, Imphal (CAU) had suggested conducting the post-mortem examination at State Veterinary & Animal Husbandry, Government of Manipur, Sanjenthong for confirmatory diagnosis of the disease.

Unfortunately, on 6th October one male Manipuri Back Pig of around eight months old was found dead at around 7:00 a.m. without showing any clinical signs and symptoms inside the shed of All India coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on pig, Manipur Centre, College of Agriculture, Iroisemba. Accordingly, on the same day, the post-mortem was conducted by the team of CAU Imphal at the College of Agriculture, Iroisemba. After seeing the post-mortem lesions, they suspected that the animal might have died due to African Swine Fever (ASF) as all the animals on the farm were vaccinated against Classical Swine Fever.

In order to make a confirmatory diagnosis, morbid samples like mesenteric lymph nodes, inguinal lymph nodes, and spleen were collected and stored. The carcass was then safely disposed of by deep burial method. At the same time, blood samples from the remaining animals were also randomly collected and stored. The whole pig shed was thoroughly cleaned and disinfected using 2% sodium hypochlorite as per protocol.

On 7th October on careful examination, another four animals were found inactive, dull, lethargic, and off-feed with high temperature. They were immediately isolated in another shed and given treatment while the rest of the animals were also given prophylactic treatment, informed the scientist of AICRP.

As African Swine Fever is a notifiable disease, the State Veterinary & AH, Govt. of Manipur, Sanjenthong was informed about the death of the pig and samples collected and requested them to send the samples to the North Eastern Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (NERDDL), Khanapara, Guwahati, Assam for confirmatory diagnosis. On 12th October State Veterinary & A.H., Government of Manipur informed CAU that it is confirmed the pig had died due to African Swine Fever as per the test result from NERDDL. 

Subsequently rapid task force from State Veterinary & A.H., Govt. of Manipur visited the site, and the remaining apparently healthy 8 (Male: 2, Female: 6) pigs were culled and disposed of scientifically with deep burial. During the period from 6th to 12th October, a total of 21 adult pigs (Male: 3 and Female: 18) were recorded dead.

Officials informed that the site was sanitized with lime and 2% sodium hypochlorite. And now the farm has been completely sealed to prevent further spread of the disease.