Workshop on Africa Swine Fever held at Half Assini

Half Assini (W/R), March 19, GNA - Dr J.N. Kasimil, a Veterinary Epidemiologist at the Veterinary Services Department in Accra, on Tuesday said the Africa Swine Fever affects only pigs although it is a viral disease and contagious.

He was speaking at a one-day workshop on Africa Swine Fever, organised by the Jomoro District Veterinary Services Division of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture for 200 pig farmers. Others, including personnel of the security agencies and members of the district assembly at Half Assini also attended.

Dr Kasimil said the disease, which could be acute, lasts between six to twelve days and almost always results in the death of infected pigs.

He said the virus that causes the diseases is resistant to drugs and could remain in frozen meat of an infected pig for years. Dr Kasimil said symptoms of the disease included extensive patches of red colour on ventral areas and ears as well as diarrhoea, which leaves the infected pig exhausted and staggering.

Dr Darlington Owusu, Jomoro District Veterinary Officer, said there is no vaccine against the disease and that the only method of prevention and control is mass slaughter of the affected pigs.

pig farmers to inform the veterinary services of suspected cases of the disease to enable the service to inspect and take appropriate action.