Free roaming pigs major cause for spreading vector borne disease: Experts

Mahbubnagar: The healthcare experts and civil society members in Mahbubnagar district have expressed concern that free roaming pigs have become a big menace in the district. They said that due this menace vector borne diseases are spreading like a wildfire in the district.

Due to open drains and irregular garbage dumps, pigs make it their home. In the rainy season, due to stagnant water these areas become conducive places for the mosquitoes and flies which make it their breeding grounds.

Residents of several parts of the district, especially in Jadcherla, Devarkadra and other parts attribute this to unhygienic rearing of pigs among others as the biggest shortcoming in ensuring sanitation.

"Pig rearing by some communities has come as big bolt in the way of keeping sanitation in various parts of the district. Take for instance in our own town Jadcherla many pig owners are letting their pigs roam freely in the streets and this is causing stinking smell everywhere.

The district administration has failed to take note of this in ensuring sanitation," says Bharati, a resident of Housing board in Jadcherla. An advocate has also filed a complaint and brought the issue of menace of pigs in the district with the municipal and district administration.

"The pig breeding in the open is causing several diseases. In spite of several complaints the authorities have failed to take any action against the persons who are letting their pigs in the open. We have asked the government to ensure that the pig owners go for closed door farming and avoid pathetic situation," said T Srinvais Goud a lawyer.