THERE has been an outbreak of African Swine fever in many places around the world. In China, one of the adjacent countries of Myanmar, saw the outbreak in in August 2018 and it spread as for as Mongolia. Then, the virus was found Hang Kong. Myanmar is one of the country with high potential of the outbreak.
To know more about the fever, we contacted Dr Min Thein Maw, Director of Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department.
Q. What kind of disease is African Swine Fever?
A. As it appears in its name, it started in African countries. It affects only pigs. Blood sucking flies and insect on African boar spread virus among them. Now, it is evolving in Asia. This will impact pig farming.
Q. What are the symptoms of African Swine fever?
A. The symptoms are high fever, vomiting, blood in stool, constipation followed by diarrhea, high respiratory rate, and trembling. There will be cyanosis of skin due to high fever. There will also be swollen joints. Infected pigs usually died. The disease contagious only to pigs. The rate of infection is 30 out of 100 pigs. It is high likely the pig would die if infected.
Q. Can it affect human?
A. African Swine fever is a DNA virus and it only affects pigs. it is not contagious to human. It mainly affects boars and domestic pigs. This is a big issue for pig farming. If the pigs are infected it will have huge impact on pig farming. So it is considered a serious disease.
Q. What are the preventions?
A. so far, there has not been vaccine or cure which is why the mortality rate is high. Biosecurity is needed. Treating left over to them must be avoided. Disinfect the piggery. Tending pigs in the forest can get them infected easily. It is also important to keep the pigs systematically in piggery to have them avoid contact with boar. Concreate floors and sufficient shelters of the sty will prevent the pigs from virus to a certain degree.
Q. What do you want to add?
A. Treat the pig enough and heed the announcements form the departments. As prevention is better than cure, biosecurity should be focused. If a pig is suspected of infection, contact Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department and follow its instruction. — MNA
