Zim monitoring African swine fever

Zimbabwe must continue maintaining security measures against the spread of the African swine fever (ASF), a deadly disease threatening pig farmers across Africa, Asia and Europe, a senior Government livestock expert has warned.

Despite efforts to prevent African swine fever (ASF) reaching Zimbabwe, acting director for Livestock and Veterinary Services Department, Dr Chenjerai Njagu, said the highly contagious virus killed 156 pigs in Nyakomba and Nyamaropa areas in Manicaland Province, in the north-eastern part of the country close to Mozambique.

“We don’t usually get a lot of outbreaks in Zimbabwe,” he said. “Outbreaks of the African swine fever are sporadic, but not very common. The few cases we record are normal in the north eastern part of the country close to the Mozambican border.

“Despite this, it doesn’t mean we are absolutely safe. Farmers need to maintain good pig husbandry practices and they should never allow their pigs to roam freely. They should keep them in properly built pig sties to avoid contact with wild pigs.”
Dr Njagu said it was important to always maintain a state of preparedness with both farmers and his department working closely to improve early warning, detection and notification, as well as early reaction.