Shillong, June 22: The scarcity of swine flu vaccines in Meghalaya has resulted in a rise in the mortality rate of pigs in the state.

The principal secretary, animal husbandry and veterinary, P. Naik, told reporters today that there are reports of largescale deaths of pigs because of the scarcity of the vaccines.

While the current stock of vaccines with Meghalaya is 40,000 doses, the requirement is 3 lakh doses per year.

The swine population in the state is around 5 lakh, while that of cattle is 8 lakh and poultry 30 lakh.

“The mortality rate among pigs is very high. There were many cases reported last year as well,” Naik said.

The official said there was a big gap between the demand and supply as far as the vaccine to cure the pigs is concerned.

Hence, the government has to depend on other states to purchase the vaccines.

He said Meghalaya would buy vaccines from the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly and Assam Agriculture University to tide over the crisis.

He, however, said no spread of fever to humans from pigs was detected in Meghalaya.