With the death toll due to Japanese Encephalitis mounting to 40 in Malkangiri district on Friday, the State Government is seriously contemplating to opt for culling of pigs as they are the reservoir and amplifier of the deadly virus.
Two more children died of the vector-borne disease at the Malkangir District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) late on Thursday night taking the death toll in the deadly to 40 in last 29 days. The Government on Friday confirmed that the blood samples of 67 per cent pigs in 33 affected villages in the tribals-dominated district have been tested JE virus-infected.
While over 2,400 infected pigs worth about Rs 1.5 crore have been traced from the affected villages and isolated, the district administration may opt for mass culling if the situation warrants. Animal Resources Development Secretary Bishnupada Sethi said, “Culling is an option, but here arises the issue of livelihood of the pig owners. However, if the current situation warrants, the district Collector has been asked to give a proposal for mass culling of infected pigs and the State Government will take a final call on it.” He said the Veterinary Director is already camping in Malkangiri. Sethi said as per the Animal Disease Act, there is no illegality in culling the infected animals posing danger. He, however, said the owners of the infected pigs in the 33 villages of Malkangiri can be duly compensated if a proposal is placed by the district Collector. On the incidences of Japanese Encephalitis also having surfaced in Brahmagiri in Puri district and Nilgiri in Baleswar district, Sethi said teams have already rushed there to collect blood samples of the pigs and examine and take course of action accordingly.
Worth mentioning, pigs are the host of Japanese Encephalitis and Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES). The disease gets transmitted from pigs to mosquitoes and further from mosquitoes to human beings.
Meanwhile, a six-member team of the BJP led by its State general secretary Bhurgu Baxipatra visited the Malkangiri DHH and talked to infected children and their family members. The team would submit a report on its finding to the party’s State and central leaderships.