Pig breeders in George in the Western Cape are on high alert following the first-ever outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the area.
This follows laboratory confirmation that ASF has been detected in Thembalethu, George in the southern Cape area. AFS was also detected in KwaNonqaba outside near Mossel Bay earlier this month.
The Western Cape department of agriculture’s state veterinary services has served a quarantine notice on pig farmers in the area. Community members and pig farmers have been urged not to remove any pigs or pig products from the area to prevent further spreading of the disease.
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The minister for agriculture in the province, Dr Ivan Meyer, has urged pig farmers to ensure animal health and safety.
“Farmers must practise good hygiene management practices on their farms to minimise the risk of disease introduction or spread of the disease through good biosecurity measures,” he said.
Meanwhile Dr Gininda Msiza, head of veterinary services, notes that the only avenue available to protect pigs is by establishing a set of measures to reduce the risk of further spreading the disease.
According to Msiza carcasses should be disposed of safely, pigs should be confined to prevent roaming and potentially the pick-up and spread of the disease.
“Hands, shoes, clothing, and equipment must be sanitised before and after contact with pigs, and meat products should be thoroughly cooked before being fed to pigs,” he added.
Minister Meyer has thanked affected farmers for minimising the possible negative impact on trade within the region and sensitising pig farmers in other parts of the Southern Cape.
“This will help to limit the spread of disease. My department will continue to monitor the situation. In addition, our state veterinary services will provide the necessary advisory services to prevent the further spread of the disease,” said Meyer.
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