Serum samples sent for tests

However,dispelling fears of swine flu,Commissioner,Animal Husbandry Department,D S Zagade said preliminary investigations have shown that the deaths were due to swine fever.

“Swine fever is very common among pigs in these areas. With the mercury touching 48 degrees Celsius,animals contract this illness. Unlike swine flu,swine fever is not passed to human beings,” said Zagade,who is readying a report to be forwarded to both the Central and state governments. “We had several deaths due to swine fever around this time last year as well,” he added.

Additional Commissioner,Animal Husbandry Department,Dr V G Ramtekke further added that the deaths were being “unnecessary linked” with swine flu and that there was no reason to panic. “Swine fever is a viral disease and it cannot be passed onto human beings. There have been many instances of swine fever deaths in the past,” said Ramtekke.

Dr Raut Mare,a virologist at the Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in Pune,said that the disease was very common among pigs. While in this disease the pigs develop button-like ulcers in the intestine and kidneys,in swine flu,which is a respiratory disorder,pigs develop lesions in the respiratory system.