In News:

African Swine Fever has been reported at two pig farms in Koottickal and Vazhoor grama panchayats in Kottayam district.

Action Taken:

• Culling of Pigs: All pigs in the affected farms and within a 1 km radius will be culled and disposed of according to Central Government guidelines.
• Infected Zone: A 1 km radius around the affected farms has been declared an infected zone.
• Surveillance Zone: A 10 km radius around the infected area has been designated a surveillance zone.

About African Swine Fever (ASF)

• African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious and hemorrhagic viral disease of domestic and wild pigs. It is a notifiable disease and its outbreak should be immediately reported to the higher authorities.
• ASF causes destructive effect on piggery due to high morbidity and mortality (up to 90-100 %). In India it was first confirmed in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in February-March 2020.
• Currently, there is no effective vaccine available against ASF, so prevention by adopting strict biosecurity measures is the only way to prevent ASF.

CLINICAL SIGNS  

• High fever (106-1080 F), lethargy and loss of appetite
• Increased respiration rate
• Blue-purple discoloration of skin of ears, abdomen and rear legs
• Discharge from the eyes and nose; bloody froth from the nose/mouth
• Constipation or bloody diarrhea
• Abortion
• Death of pigs in 6-15 days

Diagnosis: Confirmatory diagnosis in gov. laboratories