Bhubaneswar: The state government is unlikely to go for culling of pigs even as the dreaded Japanese Encephalitis (JE) has claimed 57 lives so far in the tribal dominated Malkangiri district.
“Culling of pigs is not required if they are kept at a safe distance. The infected pigs develop their own resistance which destroys the JE virus in a very short period,” fisheries and animal resources development (F&ARD) secretary Bishnupada Sethy told this newspaper. “Keeping these livestock away from human habitations during this period will help cubing transmission of the virus,” he said.
The F&ARD secretary said vaccination is the most effective way to stop the virus.
As the Centre has stated that vaccination programme can only commence after a month, the government was mulling to go for culling of pigs in the affected areas of the district to ensure that JE doesn’t spread its tentacles to other areas.
According to sources the state government had even made a provision of `1.5 crore towards compensation for culling of pigs. However, it is yet to take a final call in this regard as many locals earn their livelihood through piggery. Government may finalise its decision on this matter in the next two days, sources added.
The F&ARD secretary had previously said that about 2400 pigs of 33 villages in Malkangiri had been kept in enclosures to ensure the disease not spread to other localities.
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