Cape Province (ECP): Reduction of Classical Swine Fever Controlled Area
26 April 2007
The Classical Swine Fever outbreak in the Eastern Cape Province (ECP) has
finally been brought well under control. The size of the CSF Controlled Area
that is affected by the movement restrictions for pigs, pork and pig products,
has therefore been reduced considerably in a number of districts. According to
Section 31 of the Animal Diseases Act 35 of 1984, the Minister of Agriculture
prescribed the new smaller controlled area relating to CSF in the ECP as
published in the Government Gazette Notice R 371 of 26 April 2007. The area
encompasses the South-Eastern part of the Eastern Cape Province:
* the entire District Municipality of O R Tambo
* the eastern part of the District Municipality of Chris Hani, including the
following local municipalities: Engcobo, Intsika Yethu, Emalahleni and
Sakhisizwe
* the eastern part of the District Municipality of Amathole, including the
following local municipalities: Mbashe, Mnquma and the area of the Amahlati
Local Municipality (north-east of the Kei River)
* the southern part of the District Municipality of Alfred Nzo including the
areas of the Umzimvubu Local Municipality (between N2 and the north-western
border of the O R Tambo District Municipality).
Since the disease control campaign started in August 2005, large numbers of
infected pigs have been culled and the owners have been compensated. Movement
control measures and roadblocks have successfully prevented the disease from
spreading. Ongoing CSF surveillance in all provinces continues to yield
negative results. The outbreak in the ECP was concentrated mainly around the
informal free-roaming pig-farming areas between the Kei River and the
KwaZulu-Natal border. Since August 2006 no new CSF disease foci outside this
main affected area have been found and all of the results from recent
surveillance in the remainder of the ECP are negative. Although there is no
proof at this stage that CSF has been eradicated completely, it can be
concluded that the disease is finally fully under control and any remaining
risk is limited to a small area.
In terms of the Regulation amendment above, a new Movement Control Protocol
for the amended CSF Controlled Area was signed by the Director: Animal Health
on 26 April 2007 and came into force. No live pigs, pork or any pig products
may be taken out of the CSF Controlled Area in the ECP. In-transit movement of
live pigs, pork or pork products from other provinces through the CSF
Controlled Area are also not allowed. Hunters must take note that the measures
include wild pigs, warthogs and bushpigs as well as any of their products.
Roadblocks at the borders of the CSF Controlled Area in the south-eastern
ECP are enforcing the movement ban to prevent further spreading. All pigs in
the CSF Controlled Area have to be kept in pig-proof camps, kraals or pens and
the regulations also provide for compulsory pig stock registers and state
veterinary movement permits. The CSF Movement Control Protocol further outlines
the details and is available from your local State Veterinarian. The public is
requested to adhere to the instituted measures.
Plans are underway to investigate the possible role of indigenous wild pigs
in the epidemiology of CSF with experiments to be conducted at a custom-built
research facility at the Agricultural Research Council - Onderstepoort
Veterinary Institute (ARC-OVI). Intensive surveillance of wild pigs as well as
reintroduced domestic pigs will also continue in and around the CSF Controlled
Area. In the course of time, the experimental and surveillance results will
provide an accurate indication as to whether the disease has been eradicated
completely. In the meantime, a compartmentalisation approach is used to
facilitate exports to our neighbouring countries.
The success of the campaign would not have been possible without the
involvement of all role players, including Veterinary Services, Departments of
Agriculture and Disaster Management Support Services, South African Police
Service (SAPS), South African National Defence Force (SANDF), Road Traffic
Authorities and farmers' associations. We are also most grateful for the
support and cooperation from the South African Pig Producers' Organisation
(SAPPO), rural farmers' associations, individual pig owners and the public.
In order to safeguard the long-term sustainability of pig farming in the
entire country, it is essential for all pig owners to realise the importance of
protecting their pigs from exposure to diseases, such as foot-and-mouth
disease, African swine fever, Classical Swine Fever and Cysticercosis (tapeworm
infection). Minimum biosecurity measures are essential to safeguard human and
animal health and should include the following:
* confine pigs to pig-proof sties at all times to prevent contact with wild
pigs (including warthogs and bushpigs) and other animals
* do not feed swill (kitchen offal) unless it has been cooked for at least 1
hour or sterilised
* all animals should have access to clean potable water at all times
* always change clothes and wash hands before coming into contact with
pigs
* only buy pigs from piggeries with a known disease-free status.
Owners are advised to contact their private veterinarians or nearest State
Veterinary offices for further details.
For further information, contact:
Priscilla Tsotso Sehoole
Chief of Communications
Tel: 012 319 7317
Fax: 012 319 7858
Cell: 083 265 8728
E-mail: smais@nda.agric.za
Issued by: Department of Agriculture
26 April 2007
