Maki Molapo18 February 2024 | 7:35

WC Agriculture Dept confirms African Swine Fever outbreak in George

The department estimates that about 45 pigs have died from it to date, outlining that this is the fourth outbreak of this disease in the Garden Route since 2022.

WC Agriculture Dept confirms African Swine Fever outbreak in George

Pigs are pictured in front of the Italian parliament in Rome on 5 December, 2013, during an unusual Christmas season protest against foreign food imports used to make classic Italian products such as pasta, mozzarella cheese and prosciutto ham. Picture: AFP.

JOHANNESBURG - The Western Cape Agriculture Department has warned of a new outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) in pigs from small farmers in remote areas of George. 

ASF is a virus that affects pigs and does not affect humans or other animals, but there is no vaccination or treatment currently available for the prevention of the disease.

The department estimates that about 45 pigs have died from it to date, outlining that this is the fourth outbreak of this disease in the Garden Route since 2022.

The department has assured the public that pork products found in supermarkets are safe to consume.

State vetenarian Dr Leana Janse van Rensburg:

"All carcasses should be disposed of safely; Pigs should be confined to prevent roaming and potentially picking up and spreading the disease. Hands, shoes, clothing, and equipment should be sanitised before and after being in contact with a pig, so people do not spread the virus between animals.
"Any meat products should be thoroughly cooked before being fed to pigs, and Farmers should confirm that any purchased pigs are bought from known ASF-free herds."

The provincial agriculture department has called on all pig owners in remote areas of George to implement strict biosecurity measures to protect their livestock from ASF.

Van Rensburg has urged farmers to call their nearest vet should they have any concerns.

“Usually, the first signs of an ASF outbreak are the sudden death of pigs. Still, in some cases, other symptoms can include breathing difficulties, redness of the skin, especially underneath the pig and on the ears, hind leg weakness and loss of appetite. Occasionally the pig may also have blood in their faeces and their vomit.”