Aizawl, Dec 29 (Reporter) The African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak in Mizoram has shown signs of easing, with significantly fewer pig deaths and culling reported since mid-December, officials from the state’s Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department said on Sunday. Officials noted a marked improvement, with no pig deaths or culling recorded on December 14, 15, 17, and between December 20 and 22, as well as from December 24 onwards. The highest single-day toll occurred on December 18, when 34 pigs died in two villages in Lunglei district. This was followed by eight deaths on December 16 and one each on December 19 and 23. Culling operations have also slowed considerably, with just one pig culled on December 13 and none since December 14, officials added. Despite the respite, the overall toll from the current ASF resurgence, confirmed in February at Leithum village in Champhai district bordering Myanmar, has climbed to 14,950 pigs. Additionally, 24,177 pigs have been culled as a precaution to prevent the disease from spreading further. Veterinary experts are cautiously optimistic that the outbreak may be brought under control during the cold season, though they warn it could resurface when warmer weather returns. “Without vaccinations, ASF is likely to remain a recurring threat,” an official remarked. The first ASF case in Mizoram was reported on March 21, 2021, in Lungsen village near the Bangladesh border. That year, 33,417 pigs succumbed to ASF, and 12,568 were culled to contain the outbreak. According to department records, 12,791 pigs died and 11,594 were culled in 2022. Last year saw a smaller toll, with 1,039 deaths and 928 pigs culled. Officials remain hopeful that ongoing efforts will limit the impact of the disease in the coming months...////...