Itanagar: Authorities in Arunachal Pradesh have reported simultaneous outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) among Mithuns and Japanese Encephalitis (JE) in pigs in the Kamba circle of West Siang district, officials said on Wednesday.
At least 18 Mithuns (Bos frontalis) have died from FMD, prompting the district administration to ban the transport and sale of meat from all hooved animals, including Mithuns, pigs, cattle, and sheep.
The Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department has also established a quarantine gate at Wak village—on the Aalo-Kamba-Mechuka Road—to prevent further spread of the infection between Aalo and Kamba circles.
Dr. T Kamchi, who is leading the investigation, said the quarantine was a crucial containment measure, given the highly contagious nature of FMD among livestock.
“Mithuns hold great cultural and economic significance in Arunachal, and preventing the disease’s spread is a top priority,” he said.
The department is being supported by volunteers from the Tani Ao Mithun Farmers’ Welfare Society.
Officials said the restrictions will remain in place until the department formally lifts them.
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Meanwhile, Japanese Encephalitis has been confirmed in pigs in the same circle.
The first cases were detected in Libu Bene village and have since spread to nearby areas, Dr. Kamchi said.
The diagnosis was confirmed by the ICAR-National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics (NIVEDI), Bengaluru.
JE-related pig deaths have been reported in Gemo Tali village, where no FMD cases have been recorded.
Veterinary teams are conducting treatment and preventive measures to contain both outbreaks, officials added.
