Meghalaya has banned import of pigs following deaths reported from Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

Briefing reporters on Monday, deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong said the state government would stop import of pigs from Tuesday after there were reports about deaths of many pigs in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

He said as per reports, pigs in the two states were suffering from some kind of flu. But he said this would be clear once the test results were out.

However, Tynsong appealed to the citizens not to panic, but to ensure that even the local pork they purchase is properly cooked for at least 30 minutes.

Tynsong said all the districts had been alerted and steps would be taken by the animal husbandry and veterinary department to keep a check on both government-run and private piggery farms in case the pigs develop any sickness.

In a press release, principal secretary Shakil P. Ahammed stated that in view of unusual mortality of pigs in the districts of Dhemaji, North Lakhimpur, Biswanath, Dibrugarh, Sivasagar and Jorhat in Assam and in West Kameng, Papum-Pare, Lower Siang, Upper Siang, East Siang, Lohit, Lepa-Rida, Namsai and Changlang districts of Arunachal Pradesh, transportation of pigs into Meghalaya had been stopped until further orders.

All government pig farms, private pig farms and pig farmers will take adequate measures for strict hygiene and bio-security such as disinfection of the farms, equipment and restrict entry of any outside person into pig farms.

Symptoms of high fever and any abnormal mortality of pigs should be informed to animal husbandry and veterinary officers.