Indore pig deaths spark virus fears
INDIA - The bodies of ten pigs were recovered from near MOG Lines on Saturday sparking fears that the avian influenza virus had managed to penetrate the City’s porcine population. The pigs were however buried without post-mortem and the cause of their death would remain a mystery.The dead animals, including three piglets, were discovered in the morning by residents who informed the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC). Health department staffers later carted off the carcasses to the Devguradia trenching grounds where the animals were buried.
As no post-mortem was conducted the exact cause of the pigs’ death could not be ascertained. IMC officials, however, discounted fears that the deaths could be a result of an outbreak of the H5N1 (bird flu) virus.
“Nearly 400 pigs in the City have died over the last 4 months. During the last bird flu scare we carried out random post-mortems and the cause of death was found to be viral pneumonia. In all probability, the animals buried today died of the same disease“, informed IMC Health Officer Dr MK Gautam.
He said no post mortem had been conducted because the bodies had been found in an advanced stage of decomposition.
“A post-mortem will definitely be carried out the next time a pig carcass is found“, stressed Dr Gautam.
Source: Hindustan Times
18 March 2006
2 minute read
