The virus is endemic in wildlife in the ASF controlled area (shown in the map above in red stripes) and specific measures for keeping pigs in this area are described in the Animal Diseases Act, 1984 (Act No. 35 of 1984), which also includes restrictions on the movement of pigs and pig products from this area.
The farm has been placed under quarantine by the North West Provincial Veterinary Services, who are also doing follow-up investigations and applying disease control measures for this outbreak.
ASF is a severe disease in pigs which can cause pigs to become sick very fast and can result in the death of large numbers of pigs in a very short time period. ASF does not affect humans in any way.
The disease is transmitted by contact with infected pigs or warthogs carrying infected ticks (tampans) from the endemic area. Feeding of infected swill (kitchen waste) can also transmit the disease.
In order to prevent infection of pigs, farmers are advised to keep pigs in enclosures/camps that are warthog-proof. It is also important to only buy pigs that come from a healthy herd and not to buy pigs of an unknown health status. Under no circumstances should swill be fed to pigs unless it has been cooked for an hour in order to inactivate the ASF virus and other diseases of concern.
Pig keepers throughout South Africa are advised to be extremely careful as to where they buy pigs, how they keep pigs and what they feed pigs, as this disease can be devastating to their herd.
Enquiries:
Zweli Silangwe
Cell: 076 925 9875
E-mail: ZweliS@daff.gov.za
