More African swine fever outbreaks reported

Two more outbreaks of African swine fever (ASF) were recently confirmed by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF).

More African swine fever outbreaks reported
The director of animal health at the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Dr Mpho Maja, is encouraging pig producers to be vigilant and to report any sudden illness and deaths of pigs to their local state veterinarian.
Photo: FW Archive
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Two more outbreaks of African swine fever (ASF) were recently confirmed by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF).

In a statement, the department said that the outbreaks had occurred near Delmas in Mpumalanga and Benoni in Gauteng, which followed an outbreak in North West in April.

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Samples taken from pigs in the two locations had tested positive for ASF, and the outbreaks had been reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

According to the results, the same virus was identified in all the outbreaks, which had occurred outside of the ASF-controlled area of South Africa, the statement said.

Dr Mpho Maja, director of animal health at DAFF, said the affected areas had been placed under quarantine and officials from the provincial veterinary services were applying the necessary disease control measures.

Follow-up investigations to establish where the disease originated and to identify other farms that could possibly be affected were being conducted in conjunction with industry members, she said.

Maja encouraged pig producers to be vigilant and to report any sudden illness and deaths of pigs to their local state veterinarians. She also advised producers to only buy pigs from reputable owners.

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Jeandré Du Preez is the newest addition to the Farmer’s Weekly team. Originating from a Riversdal farming family, she has farming in her blood. After school she furthered her studies at Stellenbosch and has been working as an agricultural journalist for the past two years. She says she feels privileged to write about an industry paramount to the survival of all South Africans and is inspired by the innovative solutions with which the farming community bridges the many challenges they face. She enjoys being able to combine work with travel and appreciates the modesty and friendliness with which South Africa’s farmers share their accomplishments. She enjoys being able to combine work with travel and appreciates the modesty and friendliness with which South Africa’s farmers share their accomplishments. If she is not writing or visiting farms, you’ll find her relaxing with a good mystery novel or exploring her other passions: travelling and cooking.