In an interview with this reporter on Thursday 18 October, he said when the outbreak occurred the only strategy they employed was improvement of the management system. He said the pig breeders were urged to strictly apply standard bio-security measures and that they were also provided with booklets and audio cassettes which contained relevant information on the control measures of the disease.

"We built their capacity through sensitization and we also liaise with authorities from the sub-region as the disease is trans-boundary," he disclosed. Dr. Jaw added that when the outbreak occurred, their plan was to stamp out the pigs and compensate the owners, but it was not easy as the social dimension was looked into. He said pig breeders were also advised to restrict the movement of the pigs and to properly dispose off the carcass. He said this can be done by burning or burying the pigs between two layers of white lime to avoid the spread of the disease.

The Veterinary Director noted that pig farms should be properly disinfected and left empty for at least six weeks before introducing sentinel pigs ( i.e introducing one or two pigs into the farm and observe them for at least another six weeks). He added that at the end of the period blood samples should be taken to ascertain whether the virus is still circulating or not and if the samples are negative then pig breeders can be adviced to re-stock, but the animals must be from flocks that are confirmed free from infection.

Source: AllAfrica.com

Further Reading

	- Find out more information on African Swine Fever by clicking here.
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