Arunachal Pradesh: African Swine Fever Outbreak Confirmed in West Siang, Threatening Local Pig Farming

A new outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF), a highly contagious and often deadly viral disease affecting pigs, has been confirmed in West Siang district, Arunachal Pradesh, sparking concern among local pig farmers and authorities. While harmless to humans, the disease poses a severe threat to the region’s rural economy, where pig farming is a vital source of income.
The outbreak was officially verified on September 4, 2025, leading to immediate action by the district administration to curb its spread. West Siang District Magistrate Liyi Bagra introduced stringent measures, including:

A complete ban on importing pigs from outside the district.
A prohibition on transporting pigs and piglets between districts.
Mandatory veterinary inspections before slaughter, with all inspected animals required to be ear-tagged, applicable to both butchers and individuals.
Strict legal consequences for non-compliance under applicable laws.

The outbreak threatens the livelihoods of many in West Siang, where pig farming is a cornerstone of the local economy. Authorities are collaborating with farmers to enforce biosecurity protocols and contain the disease.
This is not the first instance of ASF in Arunachal Pradesh this year. On July 2, 2025, an outbreak was reported in Luaksim village, Longding district, confirmed by the ICAR – National Research Centre on Pig in Guwahati after reports of pig deaths with symptoms such as nasal and ocular bleeding and high fever. Additionally, ASF alerts have been issued in other districts, including Papum Pare, highlighting a growing regional concern.
Given the disease’s high mortality rate among pigs, urgent and rigorous containment efforts are underway to protect the state’s pig farming industry.