Since the end of March, people living in Adamaoua and northern parts of Cameroon have found it difficult to consume pork meat, according to the Government.

This situation arose following the discovery of an ASF outbreak in the subdivision of Mbé. As a result, the administrative authorities were forced to take measures to restrict the sales of pigmeat, a measure that is now affecting the entire region.

An operation was also carried out in July at the Zootechnic and Veterinary Center of the subdivision of Lagdo, in the locality of Katé, to destroy 108 pigs from Lagdo and Gouna, following the declaration of ASF in the region.

Since then, the health and veterinary authorities have decided to take all necessary measures to stop the disease. "For the moment, the effective solution is to slaughter. It is a very resistant virus. We have already made people aware of the consequences that this disease can cause, but many persist," said Dr Françoise Bouba Erayavai.

In order to reduce the spread of the disease throughout the northern part of the country there is a ban on the movement of pigs and pork from one region to another.

According to farmers, this ban on the sale of pork coming from the North to the southern regions of the country aims to kill the sector and force them to abandon their operations.

Sellers and pig breeders in the northern regions estimate losses in the pig industry within six months to more than ten million francs CFA.

The regional delegation of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries for Adamaoua, said little on the subject.

"What we know is that there is a ban on the sale of pork and especially on its slaughter. We are only applying the measure of our hierarchy…The veterinary control posts are there to enforce the regulations," explained the departmental delegate for Vina in Ngaoundere.