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The minister for agriculture, land reform and rural development, Thoko Didiza, announced over the weekend an outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in the Amathole district, Eastern Cape.
Fifty pigs have since died. The World Health Organization for Animal Health has also been notified.
The outbreak was identified in Ngede, Nontshinga and Feni in Centane, and in Ngquthu and Toleni in Ngqamakwe. ASF does not affect humans and the consumption of pork is safe, but the meat or products of affected pigs can be a source of infection for other pigs.
Didiza said the outbreak occurred in a community setting that hinders movement control and biosecurity among the respective pig herds. “The control measures currently in force include that all infected pigs should be as far away from those that are not and should be housed alone to avoid contact with other pigs in the area to limit the spread of the disease,” said Didiza. .
The areas where the outbreak occurred have been reported to have been quarantined and pigs are not allowed to enter, enter or leave the area. Follow-up investigations by provincial veterinary services are ongoing to determine the extent of the outbreak.
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