Gov't imposes ban on live pig

Mpho Mokwape | Tuesday May 28, 2019 15:10

 

Following the ban, the Department of Veterinary Services advises farmers and the general public that importation of live pigs has been banned due to an outbreak of the African Swine Fever reported in South Africa. 

A statement from the Department says due to the outbreak of the highly contagious disease that affects both domestic and wild pigs there would be no importation of live pigs and fresh products. 

“The ban of live pigs and fresh products from South Africa has been introduced and farmers are advised to contain their pigs in pigsties and report any ill or dead pigs both domestic and free range,” reads the release.

According to the World Organization for Animal Health the fever is a highly contagious disease of domesticated and wild pigs. It was responsible for serious economic and production losses in many countries.

The fever is reportedly caused by a virus, which results in haemorrhagic fever with high mortality rates in domestic pigs, which can cause death of animals as quickly as a week after infection.

The symptoms of the disease are normally characterized among others by vomiting, diarrhea, reddening or darkening of the skin, particularly ears and snout. Difficulty in breathing and coughing, abortion, still births and weak litters, weakness and unwillingness to stand are also some of the symptoms.