The recent outbreak of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) in Mizoram has been contained, an official said on Thursday.

Animal husbandry and veterinary science deputy director (disease investigation), K. Lalrohlua, told The Telegraph that fresh PRRS cases were reported in mid-January and February after some pigs imported from neighbouring Myanmar were found infected with the disease.

He said at least 68 imported pigs were seized in Champhai, Lunglei and Siaha districts between January and February, after being found infected with PRRS.

Of these, 24 were in Champhai, 25 in Lunglei and 19 in Siaha district, he said.

He said the infected pigs were culled according to the direction of the respective district magistrates.

According to Lalrohlua, the state government has banned import of pigs and piglets from neighbouring countries and states and also restricted inter-district movement.

However, import of pigs was allowed from outside the state, barring the Northeast, with the permission of the trade and commerce department, to meet the requirement, he said.

Admitting that the state faces shortage of pork and other meat products, the official said the government was making efforts to ensure self-sufficiency in meat products.

PRRS hit the state in 2013, 2016 and 2018, killing thousands of pigs and piglets and causing a loss to the tune of Rs 10.62 crore.

According to Lalrohlua, at least 3,806 pigs and piglets died of PRRS in 2013 valued at Rs 317 lakh, while 4,694 pigs and piglets died of PRRS and classical swine fever in 2016, causing loss to the tune of Rs 437 lakh. In 2018, at least 2,574 pigs and piglets were killed by PRRS and the financial loss was estimated to be Rs 308 lakh.

He said the state did not witness PRRS outbreak in 2019 owing to prohibition of inter-district movement of pigs that was clamped across Mizoram throughout the year. The ban benefited local pig farmers, he said.

He added the state government was administering vaccines twice in a year to prevent swine flu.