Outbreak of African Swine Fever:
An outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) has been recently confirmed at a pig farm in Ravas Brahmanan village, Patiala, prompting immediate action from district authorities.
- African Swine Fever (ASF) is a highly contagious and hemorrhagic viral disease affecting pigs and wild boar.
- It does not affect humans, nor does it affect other animal species.
- ASF causes a destructive effect on piggery due to high morbidity and mortality (up to 90-100 %).
- Originally found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, ASF is now prevalent in many countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa.
- In India it was first confirmed in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in February-March 2020.
- It can be transmitted either via direct animal contact or via dissemination of contaminated food (e.g. sausages or uncooked meat).
- It can also be spread by soft ticks and through contaminated objects such as vehicles, clothes and equipment.
- The clinical symptoms can look very much like those of classical swine fever: fever, weak pigs, lack of appetite, inflamed eye mucous membranes, red skin, (bloody) diarrhea, and vomiting.
- Currently, there is no effective vaccine available against ASF, so prevention by adopting strict biosecurity measures, such as culling the animals, is the only way to prevent ASF.
