Aizawl, Aug 4: Mizoram Governor General (Dr) Vijay Kumar Singh, PVSM, AVSM, YSM (Retd) on Monday held meeting with senior officials of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary (A.H. & Vety.) Department, led by Secretary Lalsangliana, at Raj Bhavan to address the ongoing African Swine Fever (ASF) crisis in the state.
Governor General (Dr) Vijay Kumar Singh expressed grave concern over the devastating impact of ASF, which has caused significant economic losses and disrupted livelihoods across Mizoram for the past four years. Highlighting the department’s limited capacity to manage the outbreak independently, he called for enhanced collaboration with other government departments and increased public participation to strengthen containment efforts. He urged stakeholders to intensify measures to curb the spread of ASF and mitigate its severe socio-economic consequences, assuring full support for the challenges and proposals presented by the Veterinary Department.
Dr. Esther Lalzoliani, Deputy Director (DI&E), presented a detailed overview of the ASF situation in Mizoram and its critical aspects through a PowerPoint Presentation. According to the data shared, the first ASF case in Mizoram was reported in Lungsen village on March 21, 2021. As of August 3, 2025, a total of 69,411 pigs have died due to ASF, with 52,194 culled to prevent further spread. The outbreak has affected 11,382 households, resulting in an estimated financial loss of approximately Rs 982.16 crore. Through the Assistant to State for Control of Animal Disease and the State Government, Rs 1451.915 lakh has been disbursed as compensation for culled pigs, while an additional Rs 477.08 lakh has been provided through the Mizoram Disaster Management & Rehabilitation (DM&R) Department for pigs lost to the disease.
During today’s meeting, officials from the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary (A.H. & Vety.) Department informed the Governor that African Swine Fever (ASF) has become endemic in Mizoram, making the implementation of a vaccination program the most viable solution for containment. However, as no ASF vaccine is available in India, they raised the need to explore importing vaccines from Vietnam, where they are being developed. The officials also highlighted challenges in securing funds from the central government, which has limited their ability to provide adequate compensation.
The department reported that Mizoram is among 14 states selected for the first phase of the Pandemic Fund Project to strengthen its Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, with plans to achieve NABL accreditation upon completion. Since March 2025, the laboratory has tested 221 samples, confirming 142 as ASF cases through PCR testing. To better understand the challenges posed by ASF, the department has consulted scientists and experts from the National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics (NIVEDI), with plans for their visit to Mizoram in September. Discussions also covered strategies for expanding ASF awareness campaigns, enhancing coordination with other line departments, managing pig carcasses, and addressing other critical issues related to the outbreak.
The meeting was also attended by Ajit Roy, Secretary to the Governor, along with Dr. R. Zothanmawii, Director and Dr. PC Lalsangzuala, Joint Director (LH), from the A.H. & Vety. Department.
