African Swine Fever

In News

• Recently, African Swine Fever has been confirmed for the first time, at a private pig farm in Kerala, after more than 15 pigs on the farm had died due to the disease in the last ten days.

About African Swine Fever (ASF)

• Cause: Large DNA virus of the Asfarviridae family.
  • Only virus with a double-stranded DNA genome known to be transmitted by arthropods.
  • Affects domestic & wild pigs.
• Symptoms: Includes weight loss, intermittent fever, respiratory signs, chronic skin ulcers & arthritis. Acute forms are characterised by anorexia, loss of appetite & haemorrhages in the skin.
• Transmission: Through natural hosts (warthogs, bushpigs & ticks) acting as vectors & by direct/indirect contact with infected pigs, their faeces & body fluids.
• Vaccination: No approved vaccine yet.
• Geographical Distribution: First detected in Kenya in 1909 & currently found in Asia, Europe & Africa.
• Public Health Risk: Not risky for humans.

Concerns

• Extremely high potential for transboundary spread.
• Can hamper global food security & household income.

Preventive Steps

• Application of classic sanitary measures, early detection & humane killing of animals.
• Thorough disinfection, stricter biosecurity norms & restricted supply from affected areas.
• Proper scanning & guarding of National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries & Reserve Forests.
• Preventing wild pig populations from leaving their habitats.
• Careful culling & disposal of carcasses under biosafety guidelines.

Source: TH