By Audrey L. Posted May 28, 2022 10:57 PM
African swine fever is gaining ground on the continent, after several cases reported in our European neighbors. Never two without three… Following the Covid-19 pandemic and more recently monkeypox, we now hear about this virus which is not transmitted to humans. So what is it really?
And African swine fever outbreak was detected in a pig breeding in Germany Thursday, May 26, a few kilometers from the French border, according to the French Ministry of Agriculture. For the moment, there remains an isolated case, but the ministry intends to launch a crisis unit “next week” with “all state professionals and services”.
Le virus from over African pigs is also present on Italian soil where, since January, 8 cases have been identified in the Rome region. It is expressed in its acute form by a hemorrhagic fever. The disease only affects pigsthem boars and the warthogs and does not contaminate humans.
There are different modes of transmission of swine fever:
- by eating infected food
- by contact with any contaminated medium (equipment, vehicles)
- by people who have been in contact with infected animals
- through the consumption of meat from infected animals in which the virus can survive for more than two months. This is also the main cause of its proliferation.
To date, there is still no treatment, nor vaccine. When an animal is a carrier, the entire farm must be slaughtered.
Since the end of 2018, a biosecurity action plan was defined in order to protect French territory. Three main axes: preventionsurveillance and response preparedness in the event that the virus would enter the country.
If the over African pigs (PPA) were to arrive at our premises, this would cause socio-economic consequences et sanitary major for the sector. The PPA is also classified first category health hazard in France.
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