Latest Development:
- An outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) has been confirmed at a pig farm in Ravas Brahmanan village, Patiala district, Punjab.
- District authorities have taken immediate containment action, including isolating affected areas and culling infected animals to prevent further spread.
About African Swine Fever (ASF):
- African Swine Fever is a highly contagious and deadly viral disease that affects domestic pigs and wild boars.
- Mortality Rate: Up to 90–100%, making it one of the most destructive diseases in pig farming.
- Human Risk: ASF does not infect humans and is not a food safety concern for consumers.
Global and Indian Context:
- Originated in sub-Saharan Africa but has since spread to Europe, Asia, and other parts of Africa.
- In India, ASF was first detected in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam during February–March 2020.
Transmission Routes:
- Direct contact between infected and healthy pigs.
Indirect transmission via:
- Contaminated food products (e.g., uncooked pork).
- Contaminated equipment, clothing, footwear, and vehicles.
- Soft ticks acting as vectors.
Symptoms in Infected Pigs:
- High fever, weakness, loss of appetite.
- Red skin, inflamed eyes, vomiting, bloody diarrhea.
- Symptoms often resemble those of Classical Swine Fever.
Prevention and Control:
- No effective vaccine available for ASF currently.
Control strategy includes:
- Culling infected animals.
- Enforcing quarantine and movement restrictions.
- Strict biosecurity protocols on pig farms.
- Sanitization of equipment and vehicles entering or exiting farm zones.
Significance and Impact:
- Threatens the livelihoods of pig farmers and local meat industries.
- Can cause serious economic losses in the livestock sector.
- Reinforces the need for early detection, public awareness, and rigorous monitoring systems.